Conjugation of 1-naphthol in primary cell cultures of rat ovarian cells

The present study concerns conjugation of 1-naphthol in primary cultures of rat ovarian cells. Two phase II enzymes catalyzing conjugation, i.e. phenol sulfotransferase (P-SULT) and phenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (P-UGT), were measured using 1-naphthol as substrate. The rates of conjugation by the different cell types of the rat ovary were the same at low concentrations and short incubation times. However, after 20 h of incubation the rate of conjugation in cells isolated from ovaries enriched in corpora lutea (CL) exceeded the rate in cells isolated from ovaries enriched in preovulatory follicles. In addition, when the granulosa cells were removed from the preovulatory follicles, the rate of conjugation was 1.7-fold higher, i.e. in the theca/stroma cells. When the cells were incubated with 1-[14C]naphthol and conjugates were subsequently separated by thin-layer chromatography, naphthyl glucuronide was the only conjugate observed. Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a commonly used inhibitor of P-SULT, inhibited 1-naphthol conjugation 50% in cell cultures, as well as in microsomal preparations. alpha-Naphthoflavone (ANF) and ellipticine (ELP), both cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitors, affected the conjugation of 1-naphthol in different ways; ANF did not affect P-UGT activity in microsomal preparations, but inhibited 1-naphthol conjugation in cell cultures by as much as 90%. On the other hand, ELP inhibited the conjugation of 1-naphthol up to 99% in the cell cultures, but only 75% in microsomal fractions. Testosterone (TST) and estradiol inhibited this activity approximately equal 50% in both of these experimental systems. Clomiphene citrate (CLF), a drug used to induce ovulation and demonstrating both estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, did not influence the conjugation of 1-naphthol significantly in the cell cultures. The present findings demonstrate that P-UGT is by far the major enzyme conjugating 1-naphthol in the rat ovary and that commonly used inhibitors of P-SULT and CYPs also inhibit P-UGT activity, either directly or via other mechanisms.

Characterization of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoenzyme expressed in rat ovary and its regulation by gonadotropins

Earlier studies have demonstrated that phenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity is up-regulated by pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in rat ovary, but not liver. This phenomenon was investigated in more detail in the present study. Ovaries and livers of immature rats, rats synchronized with respect to their preovulatory and corpus luteal phases by treatment with PMSG, and mature rats hyperstimulated with PMSG were compared. Under all of these conditions, only one immunoreactive band of UGT, shown to be phenol UGT, was detected in the rat ovary. The effects of oestradiol, progesterone and/or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the level of phenol UGT in immature rat ovary were also examined. Partial up-regulation was caused by progesterone or oestradiol, together with hCG, whereas progesterone or oestradiol alone had no up-regulating effect. Follicle-stimulating hormone also seemed to be required for the up-regulation in ovaries enriched in corpus luteum. The present findings demonstrate that progesterone is involved in the regulation of phenol UGT in rat ovary by gonadotropins. Regulation by both progesterone and oestradiol was dependent on induction of ovulation and steroidogenesis by luteinizing hormone.

Glutathione transferase isoenzyme patterns in the rat ovary

This study was designed to investigate the expression of different isoenzymes of glutathione transferase (GST) in the rat ovary and to follow possible changes in the pattern of expression during maturation and the different stages of the oestrus cycle. The GST subunits present in the rat ovary (as analyzed by HPLC of affinity-purified GSTs) were A3, A4, M1, M2, M3 and P1. The most abundant subunit in the ovary was A3, but the mu enzymes demonstrated the largest increase (3.5-fold) when the mature ovary was compared to the immature organ. An overall decrease in GST isoenzyme content during dioestrus was observed, but there were no other recurrent changes during the oestrus cycle. Treatment of immature rats with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin clearly demonstrated that the mu and alpha isoenzymes are up-regulated by gonadotropin stimulation, i.e. a 4-6 fold increase was seen. This treatment also elevated the P1 subunit 3-fold. At present, it is only possible to speculate concerning the mechanism(s) underlying these variations in ovarian GST expression in connection with hormonal changes. The functional significance of these variations is not yet known.

Effects of peroxisome proliferators and/or hypothyroidism on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in rat testis

The objectives of the present work were to study the effects of certain peroxisome proliferators on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme activities in the testes of normal and hypothyroid rats, i.e. phenol sulfotransferases (pST), phenol UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (pUDPGT), glutathione transferases (GST), catalase, epoxide hydrolase (EH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (QR). Adult male rats (normal and hypothyroid) were treated for 10 days with clofibrate (0.5%), perfluorooctanoic acid (0.5%, PFOA), acetylsalisylic acid (1%, ASA) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (2%, DEHP) in their diet. The results show that treatment of normal rats with peroxisome proliferators dramatically affects the activities of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (40-60% reduction). The highest effects are seen in catalase activity (50-60% with PFOA and ASA), pUDPGT (55% with PFOA), pST (55% with PFOA) and QR (50% with DEHP). These effects are not seen or are weaker after induction of hypothyroidism. Taken together, it is concluded that different classes of peroxisome proliferators have different effects on rat testicular xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes.

Hormonal influences of detoxication in the rat ovary on enzymes in comparison with the liver

Variations in the total capacity of the rat ovary to metabolize xenobiotics during different phases of the estrous cycle were studied. The level of the conjugating enzymes, phenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (pUDPGT; EC 2.4.1.17), phenol sulfotransferase (pST; EC 2.8.2.1) and glutathione transferases (EC 2.5.1.18) was determined in the ovary and compared with the corresponding hepatic activities. In addition, catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.2) two other detoxifying enzymes, were assayed. In order to study the hormonal influences on detoxifying enzymes, mature rats were characterized with respect to their stage in the estrous cycle. Immature rats were treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) for 2 or 3 days to enrich the ovaries in preovulatory follicles or corpora lutea, respectively. The present study demonstrates that ovarian pUDPGT and pST activities are increased 936% and 175%, respectively, in ovaries enriched in corpora lutea compared to ovaries from untreated immature rats. Increases in these activities in mature rats during the metestrous stage of the estrous cycle compared to the proestrous stage were also noted. In the liver pUDPGT activity is increased significantly (1.6-fold) in immature rats with ovaries enriched in preovulatory follicles compared to untreated rats. Both ovarian pST and pUDPGT activities increased in mature rats treated with PMSG ("hyperstimulated"), while in the liver only pST was increased by such treatment. Ovarian glutathione transferase activity proved not to be dependent on the hormonal fluctuations associated with the estrous cycle. However, in the liver of mature rats treated with PMSG, this activity increased 2-fold compared to the untreated immature rats. The catalase activity found in the ovarian mitochondrial fraction was approx. 10-fold higher than in the cytosolic fraction, independent of the hormonal status. Moreover, we found a significant 1.4-fold increase in peroxisomal catalase activity in the mitochondrial fraction of immature rats treated with PMSG, both when enriched in preovulatory follicles and in corpora lutea. In the liver cytosolic catalase activity decreased several-fold in immature rats following PMSG treatment. We did not find any variations in ovarian NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase activity during the estrous cycle, whereas in the liver this activity decreased in the luteal phase, as it did in mature rats treated with PMSG. From this study and earlier investigations in our laboratory, we conclude that cyclic variations due to hormones of the estrous cycle of the major 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-metabolizing phase I enzymes in the ovary are not accompanied by increases in the activities of the corresponding phase II enzymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to mutagenic species by rat and porcine ovarian granulosa cells: detection by cocultivation with V79 Chinese hamster cells

The capacity of ovarian granulosa cells from rat and pig to release reactive metabolites produced from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the ability to cause mutations in neighbouring cells has been studied. For this purpose we have used cocultivation with V79 Chinese hamster cells as a detection system. The cells were treated with two different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) or (-)-trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene (BP-7,8-diol). The resulting mutation frequency in the V79 cells after cocultivation, as a function of granulosa cell number, DMBA, or BP-7,8-diol concentration and time, was determined. The progesterone concentration in the medium after cocultivation was also analyzed as a measure of the differentiation of the granulosa cells. These studies demonstrate an increasing frequency of mutations in the V79 cells with an increasing number of granulosa cells. The maximal number of mutations were achieved with a DMBA or BP-7,8-diol concentration of 5 or 2 microM, respectively. The optimal cocultivation time was 24 h. These results clearly show that the granulosa cells can bioactivate PAHs to reactive metabolites with the capacity to migrate into surrounding cells and cause mutations in these cells. Compounds metabolized to mutagenic products by granulosa cells might thus cause mutations in the neighbouring germ cells, with possible consequences for the offspring.