Sodium salicylate increases CYP2E1 levels and enhances arachidonic acid toxicity in HepG2 cells and cultured rat hepatocytes

Individual and combined hepatocytotoxicity of DDT and cadmium in vitro

The organochlorine insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and heavy metal cadmium (Cd) are widespread environmental pollutants. They are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in organisms. Although the individual toxicity of DDT and Cd has been well documented, their combined toxicity is still not clear. Since liver is their common target, in this study, the individual and combined toxicity of DDT and Cd in human liver carcinoma HepG2 and human normal liver THLE-3 cell lines were investigated. The results showed that DDT and Cd inhibited the viability of HepG2 and THLE-3 cells dose-dependently and altered lysosomal morphology and function. Intracellular reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels were induced by DDT and Cd treatment. The combined cytotoxicity of DDT and Cd was greater than their individual cytotoxicity, and the interaction between Cd and DDT was additive on the inhibition of cell viability and lysosomal function of HepG2 cells. The interaction was antagonistic on the inhibition of cell viability of THLE-3 cells. These results may facilitate the evaluation of the cumulative risk of pesticides and heavy metal residues in the environment.

Identification of an isoform catalyzing the CoA conjugation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the evaluation of the expression levels of acyl-CoA synthetases in the human liver

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) containing carboxylic acid are conjugated with coenzyme A (CoA) or glucuronic acid in the body. It has been suggested that these conjugates are associated with toxicities, such as liver injury and anaphylaxis, through their binding via trans-acylation to cellular proteins. Although studies on glucuronidation have progressed, studies on CoA conjugation of drugs catalyzed by acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) enzymes are still in the early stages. This study aimed to clarify the human ACS isoforms responsible for CoA-conjugation of NSAIDs through consideration of the hepatic expression levels of ACS isoforms. We found that among 10 types of NSAIDs, propionic acid-class NSAIDs, namely, alminoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and loxoprofen, were conjugated with CoA in the human liver, whereas NSAIDs in the other classes, including diclofenac and mefenamic acid, were not. qRT-PCR revealed that among the 26 ACS isoforms, ACSL1 was the most highly expressed in the human liver, followed by ACSM2B. The propionic acid-class NSAIDs were conjugated with CoA by recombinant human ACSL1. The protein binding abilities of the CoA conjugates and the glucuronide forms of propionic acid-class NSAIDs were compared as an index of toxicity. The CoA conjugates had stronger adduct formation with liver microsomal proteins than glucuronides for all 5 propionic acid-class NSAIDs. In conclusion, we found that propionic acid-class NSAIDs could be conjugated to CoA by ACSL1 in the human liver to form CoA conjugates, which likely cause toxicity by protein adduct formation.

Pulmonary microvascular albumin leak is associated with endothelial cell death in murine sepsis-induced lung injury in vivo

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response that targets multiple components of the cardiovascular system including the microvasculature. Microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) are central to normal microvascular function, including maintenance of the microvascular permeability barrier. Microvascular/MVEC dysfunction during sepsis is associated with barrier dysfunction, resulting in the leak of protein-rich edema fluid into organs, especially the lung. The specific role of MVEC apoptosis in septic microvascular/MVEC dysfunction in vivo remains to be determined. To examine pulmonary MVEC death in vivo under septic conditions, we used a murine cecal ligation/perforation (CLP) model of sepsis and identified non-viable pulmonary cells with propidium iodide (PI) by intravital videomicroscopy (IVVM), and confirmed this by histology. Septic pulmonary microvascular Evans blue (EB)-labeled albumin leak was associated with an increased number of PI-positive cells, which were confirmed to be predominantly MVEC based on specific labeling with three markers, anti-CD31 (PECAM), anti-CD34, and lectin binding. Furthermore, this septic death of pulmonary MVEC was markedly attenuated by cyclophosphamide-mediated depletion of neutrophils (PMN) or use of an anti-CD18 antibody developed for immunohistochemistry but shown to block CD18-dependent signaling. Additionally, septic pulmonary MVEC death was iNOS-dependent as mice lacking iNOS had markedly fewer PI-positive MVEC. Septic PI-positive pulmonary cell death was confirmed to be due to apoptosis by three independent markers: caspase activation by FLIVO, translocation of phosphatidylserine to the cell surface by Annexin V binding, and DNA fragmentation by TUNEL. Collectively, these findings indicate that septic pulmonary MVEC death, putatively apoptosis, is a result of leukocyte activation and iNOS-dependent signaling, and in turn, may contribute to pulmonary microvascular barrier dysfunction and albumin hyper-permeability during sepsis.

Cytochrome P450 2E1: its clinical aspects and a brief perspective on the current research scenario

Research on Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), a key enzyme in alcohol metabolism has been very well documented in literature. Besides the involvement of CYP2E1 in alcohol metabolism as illustrated through the studies discussed in the chapter, recent studies have thrown light on several other aspects of CYP2E1 i.e. its extrahepatic expression, its involvement in several diseases and pathophysiological conditions; and CYP2E1 mediated carcinogenesis and modulation of drug efficacy. Studies involving these interesting facets of CYP2E1 have been discussed in the chapter focusing on the recent observations or ongoing studies illustrating the crucial role of CYP2E1 in disease development and drug metabolism.

Hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction induced by fatty acids and ethanol

Understanding the key aspects of the pathogenesis of alcoholic fatty liver disease particularly alterations to mitochondrial function remains to be resolved. The role of fatty acids in this regard requires further investigation due to their involvement in fatty liver disease and obesity. This study aimed to characterize the early effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids alone on liver mitochondrial function and during concomitant ethanol exposure using isolated liver mitochondria and VA-13 cells (Hep G2 cells that efficiently express alcohol dehydrogenase). Liver mitochondria or VA-13 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of palmitic or arachidonic acid (1 to 160 μM) for 24 h with or without 100 mM ethanol. The results showed that in isolated liver mitochondria both palmitic and arachidonic acids significantly reduced state 3 respiration in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.001), implicating their ionophoric activities. Increased ROS production occurred in a dose-dependent manner especially in the presence of rotenone (complex I inhibitor), which was significantly more prominent in arachidonic acid at 80 μM (+970%, P<0.001) than palmitic acid (+40%, P<0.01). In VA-13 cells, ethanol alone and both fatty acids (40 μM) were able to decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP levels and increase lipid formation. ROS production was significantly increased with arachidonic acid (+110%, P<0.001) exhibiting a greater effect than palmitic acid (+39%, P<0.05). While in the presence of ethanol, the drop in the mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular ATP levels, and increased lipid formation were further enhanced by both fatty acids, but with greater effect in the case of arachidonic acid, which also correlated with significant cytotoxicity (P<0.001). This study confirms the ability of fatty acids to promote mitochondrial injury in the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Role of oxidative stress in alcohol-induced liver injury

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules that are naturally generated in small amounts during the body's metabolic reactions and can react with and damage complex cellular molecules such as lipids, proteins, or DNA. Acute and chronic ethanol treatments increase the production of ROS, lower cellular antioxidant levels, and enhance oxidative stress in many tissues, especially the liver. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress plays a major role in the mechanisms by which ethanol produces liver injury. Many pathways play a key role in how ethanol induces oxidative stress. This review summarizes some of the leading pathways and discusses the evidence for their contribution to alcohol-induced liver injury. Special emphasis is placed on CYP2E1, which is induced by alcohol and is reactive in metabolizing and activating many hepatotoxins, including ethanol, to reactive products, and in generating ROS.

A decrease in S-adenosyl-L-methionine potentiates arachidonic acid cytotoxicity in primary rat hepatocytes enriched in CYP2E1

Previous studies show that treatment with a polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid (AA), or high concentrations of cycloleucine, an inhibitor of methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT), which lowers levels of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), increased toxicity in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats which expressed high levels of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). In this study, I used concentrations of cycloleucine or AA, which by themselves do not produce any toxicity, to evaluate whether a decrease in SAM sensitizes hepatocytes to AA toxicity, especially in hepatocytes enriched in CYP2E1. Levels of SAM were lower by 50% in hepatocytes from pyrazole- compared to saline-treated rats. Cycloleucine treatment caused a 50% decline in SAM levels with both hepatocyte preparations and SAM levels were lowest in the pyrazole-treated hepatocytes. The combination of cycloleucine plus AA produced some toxicity and apoptosis in hepatocytes from saline-treated rats but increased toxicity and apoptosis was found in the hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats. Cytotoxicity could be prevented by incubation with SAM, the antioxidant trolox, and the mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitor trifluoperazine. The enhanced cytotoxicity could also be protected by treating rats with chlormethiazole, a specific inhibitor of CYP2E1, thus validating the role of CYP2E1. Cycloleucine plus AA treatment elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation to greater extents with the hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats than that from the saline-treated rats. I hypothesize that increased production of ROS by hepatocytes enriched in CYP2E1 potentiates AA-induced lipid peroxidation and toxicity when hepatoprotective levels of SAM are lowered. Such interactions, e.g. induction of CYP2E1, decline in SAM and polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced lipid peroxidation, may contribute to alcohol-induced liver injury.

S-adenosyl methionine protects ob/ob mice from CYP2E1-mediated liver injury

Pyrazole treatment to induce cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) was recently shown to cause liver injury in ob/ob mice but not in lean mice. The present study investigated the effects of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) on the CYP2E1-dependent liver injury in ob/ob mice. Pyrazole treatment of ob/ob mice for 2 days caused necrosis, steatosis, and elevated serum transaminase and triglyceride levels compared with saline ob/ob mice. Administration of SAM (50 mg/kg body wt ip every 12 h for 3 days) prevented the observed pathological changes as well as the increase of apoptotic hepatocytes, caspase 3 activity, and serum TNF-alpha levels. SAM administration inhibited CYP2E1 activity but not CYP2E1 content. The pyrazole treatment increased lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxynonenal and 3-nitrotyrosine protein adducts, and protein carbonyls. These increases in oxidative and nitrosative stress were prevented by SAM. Treatment of ob/ob mice with pyrazole lowered the endogenous SAM levels, and these were elevated after SAM administration. Mitochondrial GSH levels were very low after pyrazole treatment of the ob/ob mice; this was associated with elevated levels of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal and 3-nitrotyrosine protein adducts in the mitochondria. All these changes were prevented with SAM administration. SAM protected against pyrazole-induced increase in serum transaminases, necrosis, triglyceride levels, caspase-3 activity, and lipid peroxidation even when administered 1 day after pyrazole treatment. In the absence of pyrazole, SAM lowered the slightly elevated serum transaminases, triglyceride levels, caspase-3 activity, and lipid peroxidation in obese mice. In conclusion, SAM protects against and can also reverse or correct CYP2E1-induced liver damage in ob/ob mice.

Induction of cytochrome P450 2E1 [corrected] promotes liver injury in ob/ob mice

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activates several hepatotoxins and contributes to alcoholic liver damage. Obesity is a growing health problem in the United States. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether acetone- or pyrazole-mediated induction of CYP2E1 can potentiate liver injury in obesity. CYP2E1 protein and activity were elevated in acetone- or pyrazole-treated obese and lean mice. Acetone or pyrazole induced distinct histological changes in liver and significantly higher aminotransferase enzymes in obese mice compared to obese controls or acetone- or pyrazole-treated lean mice. Higher caspase-3 activity and numerous apoptotic hepatocytes were observed in the acetone- or pyrazole-treated obese mice. Increased protein carbonyls, malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal-protein adducts, elevated levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and higher 3-nitrotyrosine protein adducts were found in livers of acetone- or pyrazole-treated obese animals, suggesting elevated oxidative and nitrosative stress. Liver tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were higher in pyrazole-treated animals. The CYP2E1 inhibitor chlormethiazole and iNOS inhibitor N-(3-(aminomethyl)-benzyl) acetamidine abrogated the toxicity and the oxidative/nitrosative stress elicited by the induction of CYP2E1.

CONCLUSION

These results show that obesity contributes to oxidative stress and liver injury and that induction of CYP2E1 enhances these effects.

Geldanamycin, an inhibitor of Hsp90 increases cytochrome P450 2E1 mediated toxicity in HepG2 cells through sustained activation of the p38MAPK pathway

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) can mediate reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced cell death through its catalytic processes. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an important molecular chaperone which is essential for cellular integrity. We previously showed that inhibition of Hsp90 with Geldanamycin (GA), an inhibitor of Hsp90 increased CYP2E1 mediated toxicity in CYP2E1 over-expressing HepG2 cells (E47 cells) but not in C34-HepG2 cells devoid of CYP2E1 expression. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the potentiation of CYP2E1 toxicity in E47 cells with GA may involve changes in mitogen activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways. GA was toxic to E47 cells and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK prevented this decrease in viability. The protective effects of SB203580 were effective only when SB203580 was added before GA treatment. GA activated p38 MAPK in E47 cells and this activation was an early and a sustained event. GA elevated ROS levels and lipid peroxidation and lowered GSH levels in E47 cells and these changes were blunted or prevented by treatment with SB203580. Apoptosis was increased by GA and prevented by pre-treatment with SB203580. The loss in mitochondrial membrane potential in E47 cells after GA treatment was also decreased significantly with SB203580 treatment. The activity and expression of CYP2E1 and Hsp90 levels were not altered by SB203580. In conclusion, the inhibition of Hsp90 with GA increases the toxicity of CYP2E1 in HepG2 cells through an early and sustained activation of the p38 MAPK pathway.

Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids reduce the growth of A549 human lung-tumor cells increasing lipid peroxidation and PPARs

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in both induction and prevention of carcinogenic process. It is well known that several types of neoplastic cells show decreased total PUFA content, contributing to their resistance to chemotherapy and lipid peroxidation. In the light of this, human lung cancer A549 cells, with low PUFA content, were exposed to arachidonic or docosahexaenoic acid to investigate the effect of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs on growth and elucidate underlying mechanisms. The bulk of the results showed that both n-6 PUFAs and n-3 PUFAs decrease human lung-tumor cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner, inducing cell death mainly evident at 100microM concentration. The mechanism underlying the antiproliferative effect of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs appeared to be the same, involving changes in fatty acid composition of biomembranes, production of cytostatic aldehydes derived from lipid peroxidation and able to affect DNA-binding activity of AP-1, and induction of PPAR. From these results it may be hypothesized that n-6 PUFAs, like n-3 PUFAs, are able to inhibit tumor growth.

Nitric oxide donors prevent while the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME increases arachidonic acid plus CYP2E1-dependent toxicity

Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (AA) play an important role in alcohol-induced liver injury. AA promotes toxicity in rat hepatocytes with high levels of cytochrome P4502E1 and in HepG2 E47 cells which express CYP2E1. Nitric oxide (NO) participates in the regulation of various cell activities as well as in cytotoxic events. NO may act as a protectant against cytotoxic stress or may enhance cytotoxicity when produced at elevated concentrations. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effect of endogenously or exogenously produced NO on AA toxicity in liver cells with high expression of CYP2E1 and assess possible mechanisms for its actions. Pyrazole-induced rat hepatocytes or HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1 were treated with AA in the presence or absence of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase L-N(G)-Nitroarginine Methylester (L-NAME) or the NO donors S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), and (Z)-1-[-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA-NONO). AA decreased cell viability from 100% to 48+/-6% after treatment for 48 h. In the presence of L-NAME, viability was further lowered to 23+/-5%, while, SNAP or DETA-NONO increased viability to 66+/-8 or 71+/-6%. The L-NAME potentiated toxicity was primarily necrotic in nature. L-NAME did not affect CYP2E1 activity or CYP2E1 content. SNAP significantly lowered CYP2E1 activity but not protein. AA treatment increased lipid peroxidation and lowered GSH levels. L-NAME potentiated while SNAP prevented these changes. Thus, L-NAME increased, while NO donors decreased AA-induced oxidative stress. Antioxidants prevented the L-NAME potentiation of AA toxicity. Damage to mitochondria by AA was shown by a decline in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). L-NAME potentiated this decline in MMP in association with its increase in AA-induced oxidative stress and toxicity. NO donors decreased this decline in MMP in association with their decrease in AA-induced oxidative stress and toxicity. These results indicate that NO can be hepatoprotective against CYP2E1-dependent toxicity, preventing AA-induced oxidative stress.

Effect of high-dose aspirin on CYP2E1 activity in healthy subjects measured using chlorzoxazone as a probe

The authors evaluated the effect of high-dose aspirin at a therapeutic dose, using chlorzoxazone as a probe for CYP2E1 enzyme activity. In a randomized, open-label, 2-way crossover study, 10 healthy men were treated 3 times daily for 6 days with 1 g aspirin or placebo. On day 7, 1 dose of 400 mg chlorzoxazone was administered orally. Plasma concentrations of chlorzoxazone and its metabolite, 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone, were measured. During the aspirin phase, the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration of chlorzoxazone were 95% (90% confidence interval [CI], 87%-103%) and 90% (90% CI, 80%-101%) of the values during the placebo phase, respectively. High-dose aspirin did not affect the oral clearance of chlorzoxazone significantly (90% CI, 98%-120%; P = .24). The AUC ratio and plasma concentration ratios of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone/chlorzoxazone were not changed significantly by high-dose aspirin. High-dose aspirin at a therapeutic dose does not affect CYP2E1 activity in humans.

Opposite action of S-adenosyl methionine and its metabolites on CYP2E1-mediated toxicity in pyrazole-induced rat hepatocytes and HepG2 E47 cells

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is protective against a variety of hepatotoxins, including ethanol. The ability of SAMe to protect against cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1)-dependent toxicity was studied in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats and HepG2 E47 cells, both of which actively express CYP2E1. Toxicity was initiated by the addition of arachidonic acid (AA) or by depletion of glutathione after treatment with L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). In pyrazole hepatocytes, SAMe (0.25-1 mM) protected against AA but not BSO toxicity. SAMe elevated GSH levels, thus preventing the decline in GSH caused by AA, and SAMe prevented AA-induced lipid peroxidation. SAMe analogs such as methionine or S-adenosyl homocysteine, which elevate GSH, also protected against AA toxicity. 5'-Methylthioadenosine (MTA), which cannot produce GSH, did not protect. The toxicity of BSO was not prevented by SAMe and the analogs because GSH cannot be synthesized. In contrast, in E47 cells, SAMe and MTA but not methionine or S-adenosyl homocysteine potentiated AA and BSO toxicity. Antioxidants such as trolox or N-acetyl cysteine prevented this synergistic toxicity of SAMe plus AA or SAMe plus BSO, respectively. In pyrazole hepatocytes, SAMe prevented the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential produced by AA, whereas in E47 cells, SAMe potentiated the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential. In E47 cells, but not pyrazole hepatocytes, the combination of SAMe plus BSO lowered levels of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2. Because SAMe can be metabolized enzymatically or spontaneously to MTA, MTA may play a role in the potentiation of AA and BSO toxicity by SAMe, but the exact mechanisms require further investigation. In conclusion, contrasting effects of SAMe on CYP2E1 toxicity were observed in pyrazole hepatocytes and E47 cells. In hepatocytes, SAMe protects against CYP2E1 toxicity by a mechanism involving maintaining or elevating GSH levels.

Role of cytochrome P450 in phospholipase A2- and arachidonic acid-mediated cytotoxicity

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) comprise a set of extracellular and intracellular enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the sn-2 fatty acyl bond of phospholipids to yield fatty acids and lysophospholipids. The PLA2 reaction is the primary pathway through which arachidonic acid (AA) is released from phospholipids. PLA2s have an important role in cellular death that occurs via necrosis or apoptosis. Several reports support the hypothesis that unesterified arachidonic acid in cells is a signal for the induction of apoptosis. However, most of the biological effects of arachidonic acid are attributable to its metabolism by mainly three different groups of enzymes: cytochromes P450, cyclooxygenases, and lipoxygenases. In this review we will focus on the role of cytochrome P450 in AA metabolism and toxicity. The major pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism catalyzed by cytochrome P450 generate metabolites that are subdivided into two groups: the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, formed by CYP epoxygenases, and the arachidonic acid derivatives that are hydroxylated at or near the omega-terminus by CYP omega-oxidases. In addition, autoxidation of AA by cytochrome P450-derived reactive oxygen species produces lipid hydroperoxides as primary oxidation products. In some cellular models of toxicity, cytochrome P450 activity exacerbates PLA2- and AA-dependent injury, mainly through the production of oxygen radicals that promote lipid peroxidation or production of metabolites that alter Ca2+ homeostasis. In contrast, in other situations, cytochrome P450 metabolism of AA is protective, mainly by lowering levels of unesterified AA and by production of metabolites that activate antiapoptotic pathways. Several lines of evidence point to the combined action of phospholipase A2 and cytochrome P450 as central in the mechanism of cellular injury in several human diseases, such as alcoholic liver disease and myocardial reperfusion injury. Inhibition of specific PLA2 and cytochrome P450 isoforms may represent novel therapeutic strategies against these diseases.

Serum deprivation-induced HepG2 cell death is potentiated by CYP2E1

Induction of oxidative stress plays a key role in serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. CYP2E1 plays an important role in toxicity of many chemicals and ethanol and produces oxidant stress. We investigated whether CYP2E1 expression can sensitize HepG2 cells to toxicity as a consequence of serum deprivation. The models used were HepG2 E47 cells that express human CYP2E1, and C34 HepG2 cells which do not express CYP2E1. E47 cells showed greater growth inhibition and enhanced cell death after serum deprivation, as compared to the C34 cells. DNA ladder and flow cytometry assays indicated that apoptosis occurred at earlier times after serum deprivation in E47 than C34 cells. Serum withdrawal-induced E47 cell death could be rescued by antioxidants, the mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitor cyclosporine A, z-DEVD-fmk, and a CYP2E1 inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole. Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation occurred in E47 cells after serum deprivation, and there was a corresponding decline in the E47 cell mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. We propose that the mechanism of this serum withdrawal plus CYP2E1 toxicity involves increased production of intracellular ROS, lipid peroxidation, and decline of GSH levels, which results in mitochondrial membrane damage and loss of membrane potential, followed by apoptosis. Potentiation of serum deprivation-induced cell death by CYP2E1 may contribute to the sensitivity of the liver to alcohol-induced ischemia and growth factor deprivation.

CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress and toxicity: role in ethanol-induced liver injury

Ethanol-induced oxidative stress plays a major role in the mechanisms by which ethanol causes liver injury. Many pathways contribute to how ethanol induces a state of oxidative stress. One central pathway appears to be the induction, by ethanol, of the CYP2E1 form of cytochrome P450 enzymes. CYP2E1 is of interest because it metabolises and activates many toxicological substrates, including ethanol, to more reactive products. Levels of CYP2E1 are elevated under a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. CYP2E1 is an effective generator of reactive oxygen species. This review summarises some of the biochemical and toxicological properties of CYP2E1, and briefly describes the use of HepG2 cell lines in assessing the actions of CYP2E1. Future directions, which may help to better understand the actions of CYP2E1 and its role in alcoholic liver injury, are suggested.

Application of quantitative structure–toxicity relationships for acute NSAID cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain relief. However, they have been associated with harmful and sometimes fatal side effects. Usually, the target organs are the GI tract and liver. In this study, we have investigated the physicochemical requirements of 21 NSAIDs for glucuronidation and cytotoxicity by quantitative structure-toxicity relationships (QSTRs) in isolated rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, we have investigated the contrast in physicochemical variables that correlated with NSAID-induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity when glucuronidation was inhibited with borneol. The competitive inhibition of hepatocyte p-nitrophenol glucuronidation by NSAIDs was determined by HPLC. Glucuronidation-inhibited hepatocytes were more susceptible to NSAID-induced cytotoxicity. Also, we found a parabolic correlation between lipophilicity and the inhibition of glucuronidation for a subset of NSAIDs. For NSAIDs with a benzoic acid moiety, cytotoxicity also correlated parabolically with lipophilicity, but correlated linearly with the HOMO-LUMO gap, and the first-order valence connectivity index. The cytotoxicity of NSAIDs with a phenylacetic acid (or propionic acid) substructure also correlated with lipophilicity, but not with the HOMO-LUMO gap. Our findings indicated that the inhibition of glucuronidation resulted in increased NSAID cytotoxicity, suggesting that acyl-glucuronide metabolites were acutely less cytotoxic. Also, comparative QSTRs revealed that benzoic acid NSAIDs may form cytotoxic radical metabolites (parameterized by the HOMO-LUMO gap) or alter mitochondrial respiration (parameterized by the connectivity index), whereas phenylacetic acid derived NSAIDs may form different cytotoxic metabolites, since they did not correlate with these parameters. In summary, we have used QSTRs as a tool to distinguish the cytotoxic mechanism of two groups of NSAIDs, which, if analyzed together as one group, did not reveal such mechanism-based differences.

Diallyl sulfide induces heme oxygenase-1 through MAPK pathway

Diallyl sulfide (DAS), is protective against chemically induced heptotoxicity, mutagenesis, and carcinogenesis. The mechanism of its protective effects is not fully understood. In this study, we found that DAS can induce the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which plays a critical role in the cell defense system against oxidative stress. DAS causes a dose- and time-dependent increase of HO-1 protein and mRNA level without toxicity in HepG2 cells. DAS-induced HO-1 protein expression is dependent on newly synthesized mRNA and newly synthesized protein. DAS increases Nrf2 protein expression, nuclear translocation, and DNA-binding activity. The MAP kinase ERK is activated by DAS. Both ERK and p38 pathways play an important role in DAS-induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and ho-1 gene activation. DAS stimulates a transient increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-Acetyl-cysteine blocked this increase of ROS production as well as DAS-induced ERK activation, Nrf2 protein expression and nuclear translocation, and ho-1 gene activation. The increase in HO-1 produced by DAS protected the HepG2 cells against toxicity by hydrogen peroxide or arachidonic acid. These results suggest that DAS induces ho-1 through production of ROS, and Nrf2 and MAPK (ERK and p38) mediate this induction. Induction of ho-1 may play a role in the protective effects of DAS.

Oxidative stress, toxicology, and pharmacology of CYP2E1

This review describes some of the biochemical and toxicological properties of CYP2E1, especially as it relates to alcohol metabolism and toxicity and the establishment of human hepatoma HepG2 cell lines that overexpress human CYP2E1. Ethanol, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and iron were found to be cytotoxic in HepG2 cells that overexpress CYP2E1. GSH appears to be essential in protecting HepG2 cells against the CYP2E1-dependent cytotoxicity, and GSH levels were elevated owing to a twofold increase in activity and expression of glutamate cysteine ligase. We suggest that this up-regulation of GSH synthesis was an adaptive response to attenuate CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress and toxicity. Induction of a state of oxidative stress appears to play a central role in the CYP2E1-dependent cytotoxicity. Mitochondrial membrane potential decreased in the CYP2E1-expressing HepG2 cells, and this decrease shared similar characteristics with the developing toxicity. Alcohol-dependent liver injury is likely to be a multifactorial process involving several mechanisms. We believe that the linkage between CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury, and GSH homeostasis contribute to the toxic actions of ethanol on the liver.

Metabolic interactions between acetylsalicylic acid and benzene

The aim of the study was to evaluate cytochrome P-450 dependent hepatic monooxygenases system and urinary excretions of phenol and muconic acid in animals subjected to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) orally and benzene by inhalations. ASA increased urinary excretion of muconic acid although it did not affect the urinary level of phenol. Benzene decreased concentrations of P-450 and b(5) cytochromes and the activities of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 and NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductases. In rats exposed to ASA and benzene simultaneously the concentration of both cytochromes and the activity of the cytochrome dependent reductases was higher than in the rats exposed only to benzene and sometimes exceeded the control group values.

Increased Sp1-dependent transactivation of the LAMgamma 1 promoter in hepatic stellate cells co-cultured with HepG2 cells overexpressing cytochrome P450 2E1

Laminin is a basement-membrane protein that increases in liver fibrosis. To study the role of oxidative stress on laminin expression, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were co-cultured with HepG2 cells that do or do not express (E47 or C34 cells, respectively) CYP2E1, a potent generator of oxygen radicals. Co-incubation of HSC with E47 cells increased laminin beta1 and gamma1 proteins compared with co-incubation with C34 cells; this increase was prevented by antioxidants and CYP2E1 inhibitors. Similar results were observed in co-culture with primary hepatocytes from saline- or pyrazole-treated (with high levels of CYP2E1) rats. Laminin alpha1 chain was not detectable in the HSC in any of the systems; however, laminin alpha2 chain increased in HSC co-cultured with E47 cells. Synthesis but not turnover of laminin beta1 and gamma1 proteins was increased in HSC in the E47 co-culture. Laminin beta1 and gamma1 mRNAs were up-regulated in HSC in the E47 co-culture because of transcriptional activation of both genes. Transfection experiments in HSC with reporter constructs driven by the laminin gamma1 promoter showed maximal responsiveness with the -230/+106 and the -1400/+106 constructs in the E47 system. Gel-shift assays demonstrated an increase in Sp1 binding to the laminin gamma1 promoter in HSC when co-incubated with E47 cells, which was blocked by an anti-Sp1 antibody. Co-transfection of a Sp1 expression vector further increased the responsiveness of the -330LAMgamma1-CAT reporter vector in HSC in the HSC/E47 system. These results show that diffusable CYP2E1-derived oxidative-stress mediators induce synthesis of laminins by a transcriptional mechanism in HSC. Such interactions between hepatocytes and HSC may be important during liver fibrosis.

Lycopene attenuates arachidonic acid toxicity in HepG2 cells overexpressing CYP2E1

Arachidonic acid (AA) was shown to be toxic to HepG2 cells expressing cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) because of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lycopene, a carotenoid with high anti-oxidant capacity, protects HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1 against AA toxicity. In preliminary experiments, lycopene as well as placebo (vehicle) were not toxic in the three types of cells tested: HepG2 cells, HepG2 cells transfected with pCI-neo (Neo) or pCI-neo/2E1 (2E1). AA produced toxic effects, especially in the 2E1 cells, and caused a remarkable increase in hydrogen peroxide production and lipid peroxidation compared to the Neo and HepG2 cells. Lycopene had a protective effect whereas the placebo did not. This was due, at least in part, to inhibition of hydrogen peroxide production and of the resulting lipid peroxidation, confirming the potent anti-oxidant properties of lycopene and its suitability for clinical studies.

Role of p38 MAPK in CYP2E1-dependent arachidonic acid toxicity

Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (AA) play an important role in alcohol-induced liver injury. AA promotes toxicity in rat hepatocytes with high levels of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) and in HepG2 E47 cells, which express CYP2E1. The possible role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members in this process was evaluated. SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, and PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, but not wortmannin a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, prevented AA toxicity in pyrazole hepatocytes and E47 cells. SB203580 prevented the enhancement of AA toxicity by salicylate. SB203580 neither lowered the levels of CYP2E1 nor affected CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress. The decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential produced by AA was prevented by SB203580. Treating CYP2E1-induced cells with AA activated p38 MAPK but not ERK or AKT. This activation was blocked by antioxidants. AA increased the translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus. Salicylate blocked this translocation, which may contribute to the enhancement of AA toxicity by salicylate. SB203580 restored AA-induced NF-kappaB translocation, which may contribute to protection against toxicity. In conclusion, AA toxicity was related to lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, and to the activation of p38 MAPK, as a consequence of CYP2E1-dependent production of reactive oxygen species. Activation of p38 MAPK by AA coupled to AA-induced oxidative stress may synergize to cause cell toxicity by affecting mitochondrial membrane potential and by modulation of NF-kappaB activation.

Cyclosporine A protects against arachidonic acid toxicity in rat hepatocytes: role of CYP2E1 and mitochondria

Diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are important for the development of alcoholic liver injury. The goal of this report was to characterize toxicity by arachidonic acid (AA), its enhancement by salicylate, and the role of mitochondrial injury in the pathway leading to toxicity in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats. AA caused toxicity that was increased by sodium salicylate. This synergistic toxicity was reduced by diallyl sulfide (DAS), an inhibitor of CYP2E1; Trolox ([+/-] 6-hydroxy, 2, 5, 7, 8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid), an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation; Z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (ZVAD-FMK), a pan caspase inhibitor; and by cyclosporine A (CsA), an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition. Mitochondrial membrane potential also was reduced, and this was prevented by cyclosporine, diallyl sulfide, and Trolox. There was release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol and activation of caspase 3, which were prevented by cyclosporine, diallylsulfide, and Trolox. Toxicity was prevented by expression of catalase either in the cytosolic or the mitochondrial compartment. Levels of CYP2E1 rapidly declined, and this was partially prevented by salicylate. These results are consistent with a model in which CYP2E1-dependent production of reactive oxygen species enhances lipid peroxidation when AA is added to hepatocytes. This results in damage to the mitochondria, with initiation of a membrane permeability transition and a decline in membrane potential, followed by release of cytochrome c, caspase 3 activation, and cellular toxicity. In conclusion, damage to mitochondria appears to play an important role in the CYP2E1 plus AA toxicity.

Increase in urea in conjunction with L-arginine metabolism in the liver leads to induction of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1): the role of urea in CYP2E1 induction by acute renal failure

A number of xenobiotics and certain pathophysiological situations cause the induction of CYP2E1. The present study was designed to establish the role of plasma urea nitrogen and L-arginine on hepatic CYP2E1 expression in rats or rats with acute renal failure. Exposure of rats to a single intravenous dose of 5 mg/kg uranyl nitrate caused renal failure in 5 days (ARF), as evidenced by increases in plasma urea nitrogen level and kidney to body weight ratio. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed that hepatic CYP2E1 was 2- to 4-fold induced by ARF. Treatment of rats with either 10% glucose in drinking water for 5 days following a single injection of uranyl nitrate or two injections of recombinant growth hormone (5 units/kg, s.c., twice a day) on the 4th day after uranyl nitrate injection reduced both the rise in plasma urea nitrogen and the induction of CYP2E1. Exposure of rats to urea (approximately 225 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 1 to 3 day(s) resulted in significant increases in CYP2E1 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, perfusion of the liver with 25 mM urea for 24 h resulted in CYP2E1 induction with an increase in the mRNA. The levels of CYP2E1 protein and mRNA were increased in rats perfused with 25 mM L-arginine for 24 h (i.e., a 4-fold increase). Hence, L-arginine, which is irreversibly hydrolyzed to urea and ornithine by arginase, also induced hepatic CYP2E1. The results of the present study provided evidence that increases in plasma urea in conjunction with L-arginine metabolism lead to the induction of CYP2E1 in the liver.

Cytochrome P450 2E1-derived reactive oxygen species mediate paracrine stimulation of collagen I protein synthesis by hepatic stellate cells

To evaluate possible fibrogenic effects of CYP2E1-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species, a model was developed using co-cultures of HepG2 cells, which do (E47 cells) or do not (C34 cells) express cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) with stellate cells. There was an increase in intra- and extracellular H(2)O(2), lipid peroxidation, and collagen type I protein in stellate cells co-cultured with E47 cells compared with stellate cells alone or co-cultured with C34 cells. The increase in collagen was prevented by antioxidants and a CYP2E1 inhibitor. CYP3A4 did not mimic the stimulatory effects found with CYP2E1. Collagen mRNA levels remained unchanged, and pulse-chase analysis indicated similar half-lives of collagen I protein between both co-cultures. However, collagen protein synthesis was increased in E47 co-culture. Hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats (with high levels of CYP2E1) induced collagen protein in primary stellate cells, and antioxidants and CYP2E1 inhibitors blocked this effect. These results suggest that increased translation of collagen mRNA by CYP2E1-derived reactive oxygen species is responsible for the increase in collagen protein produced by the E47 co-culture. These co-culture models may be useful for understanding the impact of CYP2E1-derived ROS on stellate cell function and activation.