Chemical modulation of 3-methylindole toxicosis in mice: effect on bronchiolar and olfactory mucosal injury

Respective roles of CYP2A5 and CYP2F2 in the bioactivation of 3-methylindole in mouse olfactory mucosa and lung: studies using Cyp2a5-null and Cyp2f2-null mouse models

The aim of this study was to determine whether mouse CYP2A5 and CYP2F2 play critical roles in the bioactivation of 3-methylindole (3MI), a tissue-selective toxicant, in the target tissues, the nasal olfactory mucosa (OM) and lung. Five metabolites of 3MI were identified in NADPH- and GSH-fortified microsomal reactions, including 3-glutathionyl-S-methylindole (GS-A1), 3-methyl-2-glutathionyl-S-indole (GS-A2), 3-hydroxy-3-methyleneindolenine (HMI), indole-3-carbinol (I-3-C), and 3-methyloxindole (MOI). The metabolite profiles and enzyme kinetics of the reactions were compared between OM and lung, and among wild-type, Cyp2a5-null, and Cyp2f2-null mice. In lung reactions, GS-A1, GS-A2, and HMI were detected as major products, and I-3-C and MOI, as minor metabolites. In OM reactions, all five metabolites were detected in ample amounts. The loss of CYP2F2 affected formation of all 3MI metabolites in the lung and formation of HMI, GS-A1, and GS-A2 in the OM. In contrast, loss of CYP2A5 did not affect formation of 3MI metabolites in the lung but caused substantial decreases in I-3-C and MOI formation in the OM. Thus, whereas CYP2F2 plays a critical role in the 3MI metabolism in the lung, both CYP2A5 and CYP2F2 play important roles in 3MI metabolism in the OM. Furthermore, the fate of the reactive metabolites produced by the two enzymes through common dehydrogenation and epoxidation pathways seemed to differ with CYP2A5 supporting direct conversion to stable metabolites and CYP2F2 supporting further formation of reactive iminium ions. These results provide the basis for understanding the respective roles of CYP2A5 and CYP2F2 in 3MI's toxicity in the respiratory tract.

Relationship between olfactory function and olfactory neuronal population in C57BL6 mice injected intraperitoneally with 3-methylindole

OBJECTIVE

It is not known how many olfactory receptor neurons should be intact to maintain olfaction in mouse models treated with 3-methylindole. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between a simple olfactory test outcome and the olfactory neuronal population.

STUDY DESIGN

Mouse model.

SETTING

Animal laboratory of the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Olfactory dysfunction was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 3-methylindole in 38 six-week-old female C57BL6 mice. Olfactory function was evaluated by a food-finding test following 72-hour starvation. The olfactory neuronal population was quantified by olfactory marker protein (OMP) expression.

RESULTS

The average time for finding food was 8.1 seconds in control mice. It was 13.4, 84.4, 90.1, and 111.4 seconds for mice injected with 100, 200, 300, and 400 μg/g of 3-methylindole, respectively. Harvesting the whole olfactory neuroepithelium, densitometric analysis showed significant decrease of OMP in the 300- and 400-μg/g groups as compared with controls (18.8% and 17.5% of relative density, respectively). In the olfactory bulb, there was a significant decrease of OMP in the 200-, 300-, and 400-μg/g groups (44.5%, 37.0%, and 9.0% of relative density, respectively). The food-finding time had a significant reverse correlation with the relative density of OMP both in the olfactory bulb and in the olfactory neuroepithelium.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that olfactory impairment was correlated with olfactory neuronal population in mice treated with 3-methylindole. The food-finding test would be a useful tool that could be easily performed without special training in the 3-methylindole-treated C57BL6 anosmic mouse model.

Effect of nitroethane and nitroethanol on the production of indole and 3-methylindole (skatole) from bacteria in swine feces by gas chromatography

Indole and 3-methylindole (skatole) are odor pollutants in livestock waste, and skatole is a major component of boar taint. Skatole causes pulmonary edema and emphysema in ruminants and causes damage to lung Clara cells in animals and humans. A gas chromatographic method that originally used a nitrogen-phosphorus detector to increase sensitivity was modified resulting in an improved flame ionization detection response for indole and skatole of 236% and 207%, respectively. The improved method eliminates the large amount of indole decomposition in the injector. A 10 micro g mL(-1) spike of indole and skatole in water and swine fecal slurries resulted in recovery of 78.5% and 96% in water and 76.1% and 85.8% in fecal slurries, respectively. The effect of the addition of nitroethane and nitroethanol at 21.8 mM in swine fecal slurries was studied on the microbial production of indole and skatole. Nitroethane and nitroethanol decreased the production of skatole in swine fecal slurries at 24 h. The nitroethane effect on l-tryptophan-supplemented fecal slurries after 6 and 24 h incubation resulted in a decrease of 69.0% (P = 0.02) and 23.5% skatole production, respectively, and a decrease of 14.9% indole at 6 h, but an increase in indole production of 81.1% at 24 h.

Nasal cytotoxic and carcinogenic activities of systemically distributed organic chemicals

Toxicity and carcinogenicity in the mucosa of the nasal passages in rodents has been produced by a variety of organic chemicals which are systemically distributed. In this review, 14 such chemicals or classes were identified that produced rodent nasal cytotoxicity, but not carcinogenicity, and 11 were identified that produced nasal carcinogenicity. Most chemicals that affect the nasal mucosa were either concentrated in that tissue or readily activated there, or both. All chemicals with effects in the nasal mucosa that were DNA-reactive, were also carcinogenic, if adequately tested. None of the rodent nasal cytotoxins has been identified as a human systemic nasal toxin. This may reflect the lesser biotransformation activity of human nasal mucosa compared to rodent and the much lower levels of human exposures. None of the rodent carcinogens lacking DNA reactivity has been identified as a nasal carcinogen or other cancer hazard to humans. Some DNA-reactive rodent carcinogens that affect the nasal mucosa, as well as other tissues, have been associated with cancer at various sites in humans, but not the nasal cavity. Thus, findings in only the rodent nasal mucosa do not necessarily predict either a toxic or carcinogenic hazard to that tissue in humans.

Use of ultrasonic vocalizations to assess olfactory detection in mouse pups treated with 3-methylindole

Altricial mammals use olfaction long before the olfactory bulb has reached its anatomically mature state. Indeed, while audition and vision are still not functional, the olfactory system of newborn animals can clearly process distinct odorant molecules. Although several previous studies have emphasized the important role that olfaction plays in early critical functions, it has been difficult to develop a sensitive and reliable test to precisely quantify olfactory ability in pups. One difficulty in determining early sensory capabilities is the rather limited behavioral repertory of neonates. The present study examines the use of ultrasonic vocalizations emitted by isolated rodent pups as a potential index of odor detection in newborn mice. As early as postnatal day 2, mice reliably decrease their emission of ultrasonic calls in response to odor exposure to the bedding of adult male mice but not in response to clean bedding odors or to non-social odorant molecules. A toxin known to damage the olfactory epithelium in adult, the 3-methylindole, impairs the ultrasonic call responses triggered by exposure to male bedding, thus confirming the efficiency of this olfactotoxin on mice pups. The administration of 3-methylindole severely reduced the life expectancy of the majority of subjects. This result is discussed according to the critical role of olfaction in nipple-seeking behavior in mouse pups.

3-methylindole induces transient olfactory mucosal injury in ponies

Response to 3-methylindole (3MI) varies among species. Mice recover from 3MI-induced bronchiolar epithelial injury but sustain persistent olfactory mucosal injury with scarring and epithelial metaplasia. In contrast, 3MI induces obliterative bronchiolitis in horses and ponies, but olfactory mucosal injury has not been reported. To evaluate the effect of 3MI on equine olfactory mucosa, ponies were dosed orally with 100 mg 3MI/kg (n = 9) or corn oil vehicle (n = 6). All ponies treated with 3MI developed obliterative bronchiolitis with mild olfactory injury. By 3 days after 3MI dosing, olfactory epithelium appeared disorganized with decreased and uneven surface height and scalloping of the basement membrane zone. Epithelial cells of Bowman's glands were hypertrophic. Proliferation of olfactory epithelium and Bowman's glands was supported by an increased mitotic index and positive immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen as compared with controls. The activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an olfactory mucosal cytosolic enzyme localized to sustentacular and Bowman's glandular epithelial cells, was concurrently decreased. By 9 days postdosing, olfactory mucosal lesions had lessened. Results indicate that 3MI transiently injures equine olfactory mucosa without the extensive necrosis, scarring, or metaplasia seen in murine olfactory mucosa or in equine bronchiolar epithelium.

Characterization of pulmonary CYP4B2, specific catalyst of methyl oxidation of 3-methylindole

The selective toxicity of chemicals to lung tissues is predominantly mediated by the selective expression of certain pulmonary cytochrome P450 enzymes. This report describes the purification, cloning, and characterization of a unique enzyme, CYP4B2, from goat lung. The purified P450 enzyme was isolated by multistep ion exchange chromatography to electrophoretic homogeneity with an apparent molecular mass of 55,000 Da. Western blotting studies demonstrated that CYP4B enzymes were selectively expressed in lung tissues of rabbits, rats, and mice. Two cDNAs, CYP4B2 and CYP4B2v, were cloned from goat lung tissue. CYP4B2 was predicted to be 511 amino acids and approximately 82% similar to the four known CYP4B1 proteins. Concurrently, a variant of the known human CYP4B1 cDNA, that contained a S207 insertion, was cloned from human lung tissue. The modified recombinant goat CYP4B2 was expressed in Escherichia coli and the enzyme catalyzed the N-hydroxylation of the prototypical substrate 2AF. CYP4B2 preferentially dehydrogenated, rather than hydroxylated, the pneumotoxicant 3-methylindole (3MI) (V(max) = 4.61 versus 0.83 nmol/nmol of P450/min, respectively). To investigate the relevance of covalent heme binding of CYP4 enzymes in CYP4B2-mediated metabolism of 3MI, a site-directed mutant (CYP4B2/A315E) was evaluated. The mutation had little effect on the V(max) of either dehydrogenation or hydroxylation but increased the K(m), which decreased the catalytic efficiency (V/K) for 3MI. The A315E mutation shifted the absorbance maximum of the enzyme from 448 to 451 nm, suggesting that the electron density of the heme was altered. These results demonstrate that CYP4B2 is highly specific for methyl group oxidation of 3MI, without formation of ring-oxidized metabolites, and seems to be predominately responsible for the highly organ-specific toxicity of 3MI in goats.

Identification of mucosal injury in the murine nasal airways by magnetic resonance imaging: site-specific lesions induced by 3-methylindole

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique was developed to identify mucosal damage to the nasal passages of mice resulting from exposure to respiratory toxicants. 3-Methylindole (3-MI) was chosen as a model nasal toxicant because systemic administration of this compound in mice results in a well-characterized necrotizing nasal lesion that is restricted to the olfactory mucosa. MRI technology allows imaging of the same mice before and at time points after injection. In addition, morphological alterations and increases in the area of sinus cavity airspace can be followed as a function of dose and time following exposure. For 3-MI, the cross-sectional area of the sinus airspaces increased by 1.7-fold in mice injected with 200 mg/kg and 2.6-fold in mice injected with 300 mg/kg at 3 days after injection. Alterations in the nasal turbinates lined by olfactory mucosa were identified 1, 3, and 6 days postadministration of 3-MI using MRI. Postmortem histological examination of the nasal tissue confirmed the intranasal location and distribution of the 3-MI-induced lesions observed by MRI. MRI can be a useful technique to identify toxicant-induced mucosal injury in the nasal passages at an in-plane resolution less than 60 microm.

Chronic dexamethasone treatment potentiates insult to olfactory receptor cells produced by 3-methylindole

The effect of chronic dexamethasone treatment on damage to olfactory receptor cells produced by 3-methylindole (3-MI) was examined. Twelve rats were injected, every other day, with dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.), and 12 rats with saline alone. Injections began 1 week before and continued, in different rats, from 1 to 4 weeks after a single intraperitoneal administration of 150 mg/kg 3-MI. One, two, three, and four weeks after exposure to 3-MI, different groups of rats, three specimens per each treatment condition, received bilateral application of horseradish peroxidase to the olfactory mucosa and were subsequently sacrificed. Anterograde labeling of primary afferents, i.e., an inverse correlate of the degree of cellular damage, was quantitatively determined by measuring the mean optical density (MOD) of staining in sections of the olfactory bulb. In saline-injected rats, the MOD values were 27.0, 46.6, 87.1, and 104.7 for one, two, three, and four post-3-MI weeks, respectively. The corresponding values in the dexamethasone-treated rats were 15.7, 29.7, 87.5, and 110.5. The MOD values of the dexamethasone-injected rats were significantly lower than those of the saline-injected rats for post-3-MI weeks 1 and 2, indicative of stronger damage to olfactory receptor cells in the rats treated with the glucocorticoid. The data suggest that dexamethasone potentiates the 3-MI olfactotoxicity during the first 2 weeks after insult. This effect, at least partly, may be due to the inducing action of dexamethasone on the cytochrome P450 responsible for metabolic bioactivation of 3-MI.

Olfactory toxicity of methimazole: dose-response and structure-activity studies and characterization of flavin-containing monooxygenase activity in the Long-Evans rat olfactory mucosa

Methimazole is a compound administered to humans for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and is used experimentally as a model substrate for the flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) system. Previous results from this laboratory demonstrated that methimazole is an olfactory system toxicant, causing nearly complete destruction of the olfactory epithelium in the male Long-Evans rat following a single ip dose of 300 mg/kg. The present studies were undertaken to determine the dose-response relationship for methimazole-induced olfactory mucosal damage and to determine whether or not similar damage occurs as a result of oral administration, mimicking the relevant route of human exposure. We also investigated the mechanism of olfactory toxicity of methimazole by means of a structure-activity study and began the characterization of the form(s) of FMO present in the olfactory mucosa of the male Long-Evans rat. Dose-response analysis demonstrated that methimazole causes olfactory mucosal damage at doses of 25 mg/kg ip and greater. The results of gavage studies showed that a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg also caused olfactory mucosal damage. Two structurally related compounds, methylimidazole and methylpyrrole, were not olfactory toxicants, suggesting that a reactive intermediate generated in the course of metabolizing methimazole to an S-oxide is the olfactory toxic species. Microsomal incubation studies revealed the presence of methimazole S-oxidation activity in olfactory mucosal microsomes at levels comparable to those in liver. An anti-mouse liver FMO antibody reacted on Western blots with olfactory mucosal microsomes. These findings demonstrate a dose-response for the olfactory toxicity of methimazole and suggest that characterization of human olfactory mucosal FMO activity may be necessary to assess the potential for human risk associated with therapeutic exposure to methimazole.

Olfactory toxicity of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) and disulfiram and the protective effect of DDTC against the olfactory toxicity of dichlobenil

Disulfiram and its breakdown product diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) have been investigated for their potential to protect against chemically-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis because of their inhibitory effects on cytochrome P450 2E1. We used DDTC in order to examine the role that cytochrome P450 2E1 plays in the bioactivation of beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) and 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (dichlobenil), resulting in site-specific olfactory lesions in the Long-Evans rat and C57B1 mouse. DDTC and disulfiram themselves produced olfactory mucosal lesions in the rat, whereas DDTC protected against the olfactory toxic effects of dichlobenil in the mouse. A dose-response study revealed that approximately twice the dose of DDTC was required in mice to cause the same olfactory toxic effects seen in the rat. A study to determine the catalytic activity of P450 2E1 by p-nitrophenol (PNP) hydroxylation indicated that the Long-Evans rat nasal mucosa is 2.4 times more active than the C57B1 mouse, which may account for the greater susceptibility of the rat to the olfactory toxic effects of DDTC. PNP hydroxylation assays confirmed that DDTC decreased P450 2E1 activity in both the rat and mouse liver and nasal mucosa. Whereas the results of the mouse study strengthen the hypothesis that dichlobenil is bioactivated to a toxic metabolite by cytochrome P450 2E1 in the C57B1 mouse, rats pretreated with a marginally toxic dose of DDTC prior to the administration of IDPN displayed olfactory mucosal damage, indicating that an alternative or additional pathway may be operative in the metabolism of IDPN and/or DDTC.

Effects of glutathione-modulating agents on the covalent binding and toxicity of dichlobenil in the mouse olfactory mucosa

Twenty-four hours following injection of a single dose of the herbicide dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) in C57Bl/6 mice a steep dose-response curve for the histopathological toxicity in the olfactory mucosa was observed. Four hours following injection of a toxic dose of [ring-14C]dichlobenil (12 mg/kg) the covalent binding in the olfactory mucosa was 26 times higher than that in the liver. A dose-dependent decrease of nonprotein sulfhydryls (mainly glutathione, GSH) in the olfactory mucosa was observed 2.5 hr following injection of dichlobenil (6, 12, 25 mg/kg). The synthetic GSH precursor N-acetyl-L-cysteine decreased both the dichlobenil-induced toxicity and the covalent binding, whereas N-acetyl-D-cysteine had no effect. No protective effects of the cyanide antidotes nitrite, thiosulfate, or superoxide dismutase on the dichlobenil-induced toxicity were observed. In mice given the GSH-depleting agent phorone and a subtoxic dose of dichlobenil (6 mg/kg), an extensive toxicity and an increased covalent binding in the olfactory mucosa were demonstrated. Autoradiography showed no change in the distribution of covalent [14C]dichlobenil binding to nontarget tissues of phorone-treated mice. In conclusion, the results demonstrate a relationship between the degrees of covalent binding, GSH depletion, and toxicity of dichlobenil in the olfactory mucosa. Hence, the level of GSH appears to be of importance for the dichlobenil-induced toxicity in the olfactory mucosa.

Toxic and neoplastic responses in the nasal passages: future research needs

It is evident that much remains to be learned about the nasal passages and their responses to toxic materials. For the nose of both laboratory animals and humans, information is needed in the areas of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, neurobiology, physiopathology, and oncology. This article briefly discussed toxic and neoplastic responses of the nasal passages, and identified a number of issues and questions that provide potentially valuable areas for further research. It was stated that: (1) Histopathologic examination of the nose could profit from the development of a good all-purpose fixative. (2) A consistent and appropriate classification of nasal passageways, epithelia, and other structures is needed to avoid further confusion. (3) A workable scheme for lesion mapping is needed for routine description of lesion distribution in the nasal passages in rodent toxicology studies. (4) Quantitative data are needed concerning regional substrate specificities and kinetics of nasal enzymes in animals and humans for a wide range of enzymes responsible for metabolism of xenobiotics. Moreover, the following questions should be addressed in the future: (1) What is the nature of the progenitor cells in the olfactory epithelium, basal cells alone, or basal and ductular cells? (2) What determines the resistance of regenerated rat olfactory epithelium to subsequent methyl bromide exposure? (3) Can this resistance phenomenon be demonstrated with other olfactory toxicants and in other species? (4) What influence do cage contaminant gases have on olfactory research in laboratories using rodents? The authors also believe that, despite the fact that nasal airflow has been a subject of investigation for many years, much remains to be learned about this complex process. It is expected that the application of computer technology to mathematical modeling of nasal airflow and regional gas uptake will yield significant new information for the understanding of mechanisms responsible for the distribution of upper respiratory tract lesions in animals and humans. The combination of models of regional uptake, wall flux rates, critical biochemical events, nasal blood flow, and other features of nasal physiology, and integration of these models with lower respiratory tract models, will provide valuable tools for investigations of nasal pathology and toxicology. It was also stressed that the effects of toxicants on olfactory function in humans deserve more attention since, in some past studies, it was suggested that the protection afforded by current TLVs against olfactory toxicity may be marginal. A simple and sensitive olfactometric test of general application for toxicology testing in animals remains to be validated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Functional deficits produced by 3-methylindole-induced olfactory mucosal damage revealed by a simple olfactory learning task

Methods for assessing functional consequences of olfactory mucosal damage were examined in rats exposed to 3-methylindole (3-MI). Treatment with 3-MI (400 mg/kg) induced severe degeneration of olfactory sensory epithelium followed by regeneration, fibrous adhesions, and osseous remodeling of the nasal passages. At 100 mg/kg, there was mild Bowman's gland hypertrophy while the sensory epithelium remained intact. Rats receiving 3-MI demonstrated a treatment-related deficit in acquiring an olfactory learning task which was not due to altered cognitive abilities, as determined by subsequent testing in a step-through passive avoidance task. The results confirm the conclusion that alterations in functional indices resulted from 3-MI-induced anosmia and demonstrate the utility of simple learning tasks in assessing functional capacity following olfactory epithelial damage in rats.

Nasal cavity enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism: effects on the toxicity of inhalants

A decade ago, the ability of nasal tissues to metabolize inhalants was only dimly suspected. Since then, the metabolic capacities of nasal cavity tissues has been extensively investigated in mammals, including man. Aldehyde dehydrogenases, cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, rhodanese, glutathione transferases, epoxide hydrolases, flavin-containing monooxygenases, and carboxyl esterases have all been reported to occur in substantial amounts in the nasal cavity. The contributions of these enzyme activities to the induction of toxic effects from inhalants such as benzo-a-pyrene, acetaminophen, formaldehyde, cocaine, dimethylnitrosamine, ferrocene, and 3-trifluoromethylpyridine have been the subject of dozens of reports. In addition, the influence of these enzyme activities on olfaction and their contribution to vapor uptake is beginning to receive attention from the research community. Research in the next decade promises to provide answers to the many still unanswered questions posed by the presence of the substantial xenobiotic metabolizing capacity of the nasal cavity.

Irreversible binding and toxicity of the herbicide dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) in the olfactory mucosa of mice

Following a single ip injection (12, 25, 50 mg/kg) of the herbicide dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) into C57Bl mice or Sprague-Dawley rats, an extensive destruction of the glands of Bowman and in the neuroepithelium of the olfactory region was observed. In mice, necrosis of the Bowman's glands was evident 8 hr after the lowest dose (12 mg/kg). Degeneration and/or necrosis of the neuroepithelium developed less rapidly but appeared at all doses examined. The mucosal lesions were most severe in the dorsal meatus and in the medial aspects of the ethmoturbinates. Three to seven days after dosing, the olfactory region was covered by an attenuated surface epithelium or by a respiratory-like epithelium. Seven to twenty days after dosing, there was fibrosis of the olfactory region. Partial regeneration of the olfactory epithelium and scattered intact Bowman's glands were observed after 20 days. Autoradiograms of mice given a single iv injection of 14C-labeled dichlobenil showed a high irreversible binding of radioactivity in Bowman's glands, whereas the binding in the olfactory epithelium was insignificant. In mice pretreated with metyrapone the binding decreased markedly, indicating that the reactive metabolite was formed by a cytochrome P450-dependent mechanism. The metyrapone treatment also resulted in a decreased or completely inhibited toxicity of dichlobenil to the olfactory mucosa. Hence, the tissue-specific toxicity of dichlobenil seems to be mediated by a reactive, tissue-binding metabolite. We propose that dichlobenil induces a primary lesion in the glands of Bowman, resulting from the pronounced binding of a metabolite in these glands. The toxicity to the olfactory neuroepithelium may be secondary to the destruction of the glands of Bowman.

Effect of 3-methylindole on respiratory ethane production in selenium and vitamin E deficient rats

Lipid peroxidation has been proposed as a mechanism of 3-methylindole pneumotoxicity. In this report, lipid peroxidation was measured over 16 h in awake rats given 400 mg/kg i.p. 3-methylindole or its carrier, Cremophore EL. Rats were studied after 8 weeks of feeding a diet either adequate or deficient in vitamin E and selenium. Respiratory ethane production was used as the index of lipid peroxidation. 3-methylindole had no effect on lipid peroxidation for rats fed the adequate diet. For rats on the deficient diet, 3-methylindole suppressed lipid peroxidation by 50% of control. These results indicate that lipid peroxidation is not a mechanism of 3-methylindole pneumotoxicity and support the conclusion that 3-methylindole may act as an antioxidant.

Xenobiotic metabolism in the nasal epithelia

The nasal epithelia in several species contains fairly high levels of drug metabolising enzymes, and in many cases the site specific toxicities of chemicals are due to their metabolic activation in the nasal tissues. This article reviews some of the current literature on the metabolic capacities of nasal epithelia, in particular the distribution and characteristics of cytochrome P-450 isozymes. In addition to the role of these nasal enzymes in metabolism of inhaled xenobiotics, other possible biological roles for these enzymes are also discussed.

3-Methylindole-induced nasal mucosal damage in mice

3-Methylindole (3MI) damages nasal olfactory epithelium in mice. Lesions were studied histologically from 30 minutes to 28 days after intraperitoneal injection of 400 mg 3MI/kg. Cellular swelling was apparent in olfactory epithelium by 6 hours after injection of 3MI, while respiratory epithelium was normal. Necrosis of olfactory epithelium and subepithelial glands was diffuse by 48 hours. Subsequent ulceration resulted in epithelial hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, fibroplasia, and ossification. Partially occlusive intranasal fibrous and osseous tissue persisted through 28 days after 3MI injection.

Decreased pneumotoxicity of deuterated 3-methylindole: bioactivation requires methyl C-H bond breakage

The bioactivation of the pulmonary toxin 3-methylindole has been postulated to proceed via the formation of an imine methide. To test this hypothesis, the toxicity in mice of 3-methylindole has been compared to the toxicity of its perdeuteromethyl analog. Deuteration of the methyl group should slow the rate of production of the corresponding imine methide and diminish the toxicity of deutero-3-methylindole, if C-H bond breakage occurs prior to or during the rate-determining step. In agreement with this hypothesis, deutero-3-methylindole was synthesized and was shown to be significantly less toxic (LD50 735 mg/kg) than 3-methylindole (LD50 578 mg/kg). Both compounds produced the same lesion at the LD50 dose, bronchiolar damage and mild alveolar edema, indicating that deuteration of 3-methylindole did not change the pathologic process. However, at a much lower dose (25 mg/kg), 3-methylindole produced a mild bronchiolar lesion whereas deutero-3-methylindole did not damage lung tissue. Additionally, administration of deutero-3-methylindole caused less pulmonary edema compared to 3-methylindole, as assessed by increased wet lung weights. Finally, the depletion of pulmonary glutathione by deutero-3-methylindole was considerably slower than depletion by 3-methylindole. The electrophilic imine methide has been postulated to be the intermediate which binds with and depletes glutathione. Therefore, the evidence presented here supports the involvement of an imine methide as the primary reactive intermediate in 3-methylindole-mediated pneumotoxicity.