Metabolism and subsequent covalent binding of benzo[a]pyrene to macromolecules in gonads and liver of ripe english sole (Parophrys vetulus)

Energy intake affects the biotransformation rate, scope for induction, and metabolite profile of benzo[a]pyrene in rainbow trout

The metabolic conversion of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes was not significantly different between any group of fed fish (fed one of three isoenergetic diets that varied in protein and lipid content at full satiation levels or half rations), however at 12 weeks, fasted fish exhibited significantly reduced B[a]P biotransformation rates (by 58%). Alterations in metabolite profiles were also seen: fasted fish produced significantly more Phase I metabolites, higher levels of both glucuronide and sulphate conjugates, and lower levels of presumptive glutathione conjugates, compared to fed fish. When fish were fasted, higher proportions of phenols were produced, with lower proportions of quinones, triols and tetrols. Inducing metabolism (using beta-naphthoflavone) increased metabolic scope for B[a]P by 2-fold, regardless of each diet's baseline metabolic rate. However, the balance between Phase I and II reactions was altered with induction and fasting: higher proportions of Phase I metabolites were found, with lower glutathione conjugates and higher proportions of triols/tetrols. Fasting-mediated reductions in glutathione conjugation, and increased induction of oxidation vs. conjugating enzymes, can explain altered metabolite profiles. These results suggest that in contaminated habitats, where pollution-induced reductions in food quantity or quality are combined with the presence of toxic compounds and inducers, detoxification rates can be diminished.

Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by marine organisms

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the marine environment, occurring at their highest environmental concentrations around urban centers. While they can occur naturally, the highest concentrations are mainly from human activities, and the primary sources are combustion products and petroleum. Two factors, lipid and organic carbon, control to a large extent the partitioning behavior of PAHs in sediment, water, and tissue; the more hydrophobic a compound, the greater the partitioning to these phases. These two factors, along with the octanol-water partition coefficient, are the best predictors of this partitioning and can be used to determine PAH behavior and its bioavailability in the environment. It is well known that the lipid of organisms contains the highest levels of hydrophobic compounds such as PAHs, and that organic carbon associated with sediment or dissolved in water can have the greatest influence on PAH bioavailability. Partitioning of combustion-derived PAHs between water and sediment may be much less than predicted, possibly because associations with particles are much stronger than expected. This reduced partitioning may produce erroneous results in predicting bioaccumulation where uptake from water is important. Accumulation of PAHs occurs in all marine organisms; however, there is a wide range in tissue concentrations from variable environmental concentrations, level and time of exposure, and species ability to metabolize these compounds. PAHs generally partition into lipid-rich tissues, and their metabolites can be found in most tissues. In fish, liver and bile accumulate the highest levels of parent PAH and metabolites; hence, these are the best tissues to analyze when determining PAH exposure. In invertebrates, the highest concentrations can be found in the internal organs, such as the hepatopancreas, and tissue concentrations appear to follow seasonal cycles, which may be related to variations in lipid content or spawning cycles. The major route of uptake for PAHs has been debated for years. For the more water-soluble PAHs, it is believed that the main route of uptake is through ventilated water and that the more hydrophobic compounds are taken in mainly through ingestion of food or sediment. There are many variables, such as chemical hydrophobicity, uptake efficiency, feeding rate, and ventilatory volume, which may affect the outcome. The route of uptake may be an important issue for short-term events; however, under long-term exposure and equilibrium conditions between water, prey, and sediment, the route of uptake may be immaterial because the same tissue burdens will be achieved regardless of uptake routes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The effects of temperature on benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and adduct formation in the gulf toadfish,Opsanus beta

In order to examine the effects of temperature on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) metabolism and adduct formation in the absence of the effects of temperature on uptake, gulf toadfish,Opsanus beta, were given a dose of 0.05 mg/kg(3)H-BaPvia caudal vein cannulae at their acclimation temperatures. (18 or 28°C) or following an acute temperature change (18 to 28°C or 28 to 18°C). After 72h, BaP-derived radioactivity was detected in all tissues examined and, as in otherin vivo studies of fish, the highest levels were found in the bile, the liver and the kidney. Temperature did not affect the total amount of BaP metabolized and excreted to the bile, but there were significant quantitative differences between temperature treatments in the classes of Phase I metabolites accumulated. Fish acclimated to high temperature accumulated more BaP triols and tetrols (breakdown products of highly carcinogenic BaP diol epoxides) than fish acclimated at low temperature regardless of exposure temperature: the proportion of biliary metabolites as tetrols and triols in each of the four temperature treatments (acclimation: exposure temperature), 28:18, 28:28, 18:18 and 18:28°C were 21.3±3.6, 58.1±6.1, 14.2±1.8 and 20.9±3.2% (mean±SEM, n=4), respectively. Significant quantities of BaP-DNA and BaP-hemoglobin adducts were detected; however, only the amounts of BaP-DNA adducts showed sensitivity to temperature. As predicted from our metabolite data, high acclimation or exposure temperature led to a significant increase in the amount of BaP-DNA adducts formed: adduct formation in the temperature treatments, 28:18, 28:28, 18:18 and 18:28°C were 342±52, 526±51, 155±42 and 252±55 fg BaP/ µg DNA (mean±SEM, n=4), respectively. These results are discussed in the context of mechanisms of high temperature-enhancement of carcinogenesis in fish.

Disposition of xenobiotic chemicals and metabolites in marine organisms

Studies with several bottom fish species from urban waterways show that of the identified xenobiotic chemicals in bottom sediments, polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most strongly associated with the prevalence of liver lesions, including neoplasms. Accordingly, there is concern about the transfer of contaminants, such as PAHs, from aquatic species to humans. Because PAHs exert their toxicity only after being biotransformed, increasing attention has been focused on the ability of aquatic organisms to metabolize these chemicals. Overall, the results of both laboratory and field studies show that generally low levels (nanograms per gram wet weight) of a few low molecular weight PAHs may be present in edible tissue of fish from contaminated areas and that high molecular weight PAHs, such as the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene, will rarely be detected because of extensive metabolism. Additionally, the results from a few studies suggest that even though interactions between xenobiotics can affect both biochemical and physiological systems to alter the disposition of PAHs in fish, these interactions do not markedly change the relative proportions of metabolites to parent PAH in tissues. Thus, these studies clearly demonstrate that to obtain some insight into the questions of whether there is any risk to human health from consuming fish and crustaceans from urban areas, techniques must be developed that measure metabolites of carcinogens, such as PAHs, in edible tissue. Initial attempts may focus on semiquantitative methods that permit rapid assessment of the level of metabolites in edible tissues of fish and crustaceans from many urban areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme activity in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

1. Several pathways of drug metabolizing enzymic activity were measured in hepatic fractions of the channel catfish and rat using model substrates. The pathways examined included the O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole, microsomal ester hydrolysis of procaine and glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol, and the cytosolic acetylation of sulfamethazine and sulfation of 2-naphthol. Catfish liver preparations were incubated at both 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C. 2. The oxidative metabolism of p-nitrophenol was only one-eighth that of the rat at 37 degrees C and one-twelfth that of the rat at 25 degrees C. 3. Procaine ester hydrolysis was negligible in catfish microsomal preparations. 4. At 37 degrees C, p-nitrophenol glucuronidation was equivalent in catfish and rat microsomes. 5. Catfish cytosolic preparations exhibited N-acetyltransferase and arylsulfotransferase nearly comparable to those of the rat. 6. Rates of glucuronidation and sulfation were higher at 37 degrees C than at 25 degrees C in hepatic fractions of catfish.

Xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in spawning English sole (Parophrys vetulus) exposed to organic-solvent extracts of marine sediments from contaminated and reference areas

Female English sole (Parophrys vetulus) within 1-2 days of spawning were exposed by i.m. injection to organic-solvent extracts of marine sediments at the following doses: Eagle Harbor (EHSE, contaminated site)--6.8 mg aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs)/kg body wt; Duwamish Waterway (DSE, contaminated site)--0.52 mg AHs and 0.040 mg chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHs)/kg body wt; Hood Canal (HCSE, reference site)--0.00090 mg AHs/kg body wt. Hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity, measured at spawning, was induced 10-, 23-and 2-fold by EHSE, DSE and HCSE, respectively, compared to sham and vehicle controls. Hepatic glutathione-S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase activities were not affected by any treatment. EHSE, but not DSE or HCSE, inhibited spawning (P less than 0.01) in 36% of the exposed fish and hepatic AHH activity in the non-spawning fish was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than in the fish that did spawn. These results suggest a potential for reproductive toxicity in benthic fish after exposure to sediment-associated contaminants.

Spectral properties of substrate-cytochrome P-450 interaction and catalytic activity of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in isolated rainbow trout liver cells

A method for the isolation of intact viable rainbow trout liver cells in high numbers is described. The technique involves perfusion of collagenase through the liver. A major part of the cytochrome P-450 in isolated liver cells was present in the oxidized non-substrate bound form. It was observed that 7-ethoxycoumarin was rapidly taken up by the liver cells and bound to cellular cytochrome P-450. The substrate binding spectrum for isolated trout liver cells was slightly modified compared with that obtained with trout liver microsomes. The microsomal affinity of 7-ethoxycoumarin, calculated as the apparent spectral dissociation constant (ks), was elevated 11-fold after fish were treated with beta-naphthoflavone, indicating a qualitative alteration in the nature of the constitutive cytochrome P-450. The metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin in isolated liver cells was found to be of a comparable rate to that obtained in liver microsomes. Pretreatment of fish with Clophen A50 or beta-naphthoflavone significantly increased the content of cytochrome P-450 and elevated the rate of 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylation in isolated liver cells. Furthermore, the rate of conjugation of 7-hydroxycoumarin was significantly elevated in liver cells isolated from beta-naphthoflavone treated fish when compared with the control rate. In isolated liver cells, 90% of the 7-hydroxycoumarin formed from deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin was further metabolized to conjugated products. However, in beta-naphthoflavone of Clophen A50 treated fish the fraction of conjugated metabolites was markedly decreased, indicating a changed balance between cytochrome P-450 dependent reactions and conjugation reactions in the cell.

Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and DNA adduct formation mediated by English sole liver enzymes

Tritiated benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and (+/-)-7,8-dihydroBaP (BaP 7,8-dihydrodiol) were incubated with English sole liver microsomes in the presence of salmon testes DNA. The modified deoxynucleosides were isolated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and analyzed by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). A single, major adduct (60-68% of the total modified deoxynucleosides) was formed when either BaP or BaP 7,8-dihydrodiol was incubated with sole liver microsomes and DNA. Although other minor BaP-DNA adducts were formed, none represented greater than 3% of the total adducts. The major adduct had a retention time on HPLC identical to that of the N2-[10 beta (7 beta, 8 alpha, 9 alpha-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene)yl]-deoxy-guanosine (7R-anti-BPDE/trans-dG) adduct formed when anti-BPDE, the ultimate carcinogen of BaP in mammals, was incubated with DNA. Analysis of the Bay region tetrols showed that only the 7 alpha, 8 beta, 9 beta, 10 alpha-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroBaP, a hydrolysis product of the anti-BPDE, was formed when BaP was incubated with sole liver microsomes. When BaP 7,8-dihydrodiol was used as the substrate, the 7 alpha, 8 beta, 9 beta, 10 alpha-, 7 alpha, 8 beta, 9 alpha, 10 beta-, and 7 alpha, 8 beta, 9 alpha, 10 alpha-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroBaP's were formed, indicating the formation of both anti- and syn-BPDE. The ratio of tetrols of anti-BPDE/syn-BPDE was 2; however, the ratio of adducts of anti-BPDE/syn-BPDE was 20. Thus, the findings show that hepatic microsomes of English sole, a fish species having a high incidence of liver neoplasia in chemically contaminated estuaries, metabolized BaP and BaP 7,8-dihydrodiol stereoselectively to form predominantly the 7R-anti-BPDE/trans-dG adduct.