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G W Lucier

Publications and source records attributed to G W Lucier.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Estrogen receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor and cellular ploidy in elutriated subpopulations of hepatocytes during liver tumor promotion by 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol in rats.

17 alpha-Ethinylestradiol (EE2)-mediated promotion of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated liver tumors was evaluated in distinct hepatocyte subpopulations. Our initiation-promotion regime consisted of a single dose of DEN (200 mg/kg) to ovariectomized rats, followed by chronic exposure to EE2 (90 micrograms/kg/day for 30 weeks). We observed significant increases in liver and uterine organ wts which were associated with liver tumor formation. Isolated hepatocytes were separated by elutriation into seven subpopulations. The early eluting subpopulations consisted of a greater proportion of diploid cells and they exhibited a preferential uptake of acridine orange, which is characteristic of periportal cells. With the increasing order of elutriated fractions, hepatocyte subpopulations of tetraploid and octaploid cells were obtained. Elutriation revealed that EE2 promotion enhanced nuclear estrogen receptor levels (3-fold) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity (5-fold) to a greater extent in the early eluting diploid subpopulations (1 and 2), even though total estrogen receptor (ER) levels were higher in the later eluting subpopulations. The stimulatory effect of EE2 on ER levels was associated with an increased ER occupancy in all subpopulations, although the effect was greatest in the later eluting fractions. Chronic EE2 exposure induced the emergence of new hepatocyte populations within fractions 6 and 7. Enhanced cell growth was observed in the DEN/EE2-derived hepatocytes by flow cytometric measurements of DNA synthesis. The new populations of altered cells expressed high levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with 90% of the cells positive for EGFR-antibody. In summary, our data demonstrate that many effects of EE2 on hepatocyte pathways involved in growth control occur in nearly all populations of cells, derived by elutriation although some effects such as the emergence of an EGFR-enriched population of hepatocytes are localized in specific populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Sexual dimorphism of the chromatographic profiles of I-compounds (endogenous deoxyribonucleic acid modifications) in rat liver.

DNA of all tissues studied thus far in untreated mammals contains as yet structurally unidentified, covalent modifications termed I (indigenous)-compounds, which are detectable by the 32P postlabeling assay for DNA adducts and increase with age. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sex, gonadectomy, and androgen administration on I-compound profiles and levels in order to gain insight into the factors involved in the biosynthesis of these DNA modifications. Liver DNA from various groups of 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats (untreated or gonadectomized males and females; animals with or without gonadectomy treated with testosterone propionate) was analyzed by a nuclease P1-enhanced version of the 32P postlabeling assay. Hepatic I-compound profiles of untreated animals exhibited pronounced sexual dimorphism. In addition to a number of I-compounds that differed quantitatively between sexes, 7 female-specific and 1 male-specific I-compounds were observed. In female rats, the total level amounted to 112 I-compounds in 10(9) DNA nucleotides and exceeded the level in males by 3-fold. Castration feminized and ovariectomy masculinized I-compound profiles and levels. Neonatal testosterone propionate failed to restore the male pattern of I-compounds lost by neonatal castration, so that an androgen-imprinting mechanism did not appear to be involved in the maintenance of the male I-compound phenotype and the suppression of the female pattern. Testosterone propionate administered to intact female animals lowered total I-compound levels significantly. The results indicate that estrogens play a dominant role in regulating sex-dependent formation of I-compounds in rat liver. The dependence of I-compound formation on both age and sex hormones suggests that the levels of these DNA modifications are developmentally controlled.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Influence of the Ah locus on the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the hepatic epidermal growth factor receptor.

The present studies examine whether the Ah receptor mediates the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the binding capacity of the hepatic epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in congenic strains of C57BL/6J mice that differ only at the Ah locus. The Ah locus is believed to encode the Ah receptor, which mediates the induction of cytochrome P4501A1 by TCDD and appears to mediate many of the toxic effects of TCDD. TCDD produced an 80-90% decrease in the maximum binding capacity (both high and low affinity sites) of the hepatic EGF receptor in female Ah-responsive (Ahb/b) and Ah-nonresponsive (Ahd/d) C57BL/6 mice. However, the ED50 for the effects of TCDD on the binding capacity of the EGF receptor was 10-fold higher in the Ah-nonresponsive mice, compared with the Ah-responsive mice (7 versus 0.7 micrograms/kg). TCDD did not affect the hepatic content of two EGF receptor mRNA transcripts (10 and 6 kb), indicating that the effects on the EGF receptor are not pretranslational. Similarly, TCDD did not affect the hepatic content of mRNA for transforming growth factor-alpha, an alternate ligand for the EGF receptor that is synthesized in the liver. In contrast, TCDD markedly increased the hepatic content of the mRNA for cytochrome P4501A1, which is known to be regulated transcriptionally by TCDD. The ED50 for this effect was 10-fold higher in Ah-nonresponsive mice than in Ah-responsive mice (13 versus 1.3 micrograms/kg). This study indicates that the effects of TCDD on EGF receptor ligand binding are mediated by the Ah receptor. However, unlike the effect of TCDD on cytochrome P4501A1, the effects of TCDD on the EGF receptor do not involve changes in the levels of the mRNA for this protein or changes in the mRNA for transforming growth factor-alpha, an alternate ligand for the EGF receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Multiple DNA adducts in lymphocytes of smokers and nonsmokers determined by 32P-postlabeling analysis.

Identification of DNA adducts in peripheral lymphocytes could serve as a means of monitoring human exposure to potential genotoxic agents. In this study, DNA from peripheral lymphocytes of smokers and nonsmokers was examined for adducts by the P1 nuclease 32P-postlabeling technique. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) maps from both groups revealed multiple DNA adducts which ranged from no adducts for one individual to six adducts for a different individual. The total DNA adduct concentrations were approximately one adduct in 10(8)-10(10) normal nucleotides. Comparison of the adduct TLC profiles revealed individual variation in both pattern and level of DNA adducts. The type and amount of adduct was not influenced by smoking history and remained unchanged in four out of six subjects who were resampled after a 1 month interval. The capacity of lymphocytes to form BaP-derived DNA adducts after a 72 h incubation with 10(-6) M [3H]BaP was measured by both high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and 32P-postlabeling analysis. The in vitro adduct values detected by [3H]nucleoside concentrations on HPLC ranged from 1 to 7 fmol adduct per micrograms DNA (3.3-23.3 adducts per 10(7) nucleotides). The [3H]nucleoside values were consistent with values obtained by 32P-postlabeling of the same sample (correlation coefficient of 0.88). No relationship was apparent between the capacity of lymphocytes to form a [3H]BaP-derived adduct in vitro and the concentration of any adduct, or total adducts present in untreated lymphocytes. These results suggest that multiple DNA adducts are present in lymphocytes from nonsmokers as well as smokers, although the profile and extent of these adducts can vary among individuals. The relationship of the lymphocyte DNA adducts detected in this study to human cancer susceptibility remains to be determined.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗
PubMed1990

Placental markers of human exposure to polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls: implications for risk assessment.

In 1979, rice oil accidentally contaminated with a mixture of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was ingested by a large number of individuals in Taiwan. Placentas obtained from women four years after the exposure had occurred contained several PCB congeners known to be present in the rice oil as well as two toxic PCDF congeners: 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (2,3,4,7,8-PCDF) and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (1,2,3,4,7,8-HCDF). Placentas from exposed women had markedly elevated activities of two cytochrome P1-450 dependent enzymes, arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase. The average magnitude of enzyme induction was 100-fold, but much interindividual variation was evident. Binding properties of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to its receptor were not altered by PCB-PCDF exposure. However, EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of the EGF receptor was decreased significantly in placentas from exposed women and this effect was strongly correlated with decreased birth weight. Species comparisons of effects on EGF receptor actions and cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes, coupled with data on tissue concentrations of PCDFs, suggest that humans are more sensitive than rats to some of the biochemical effects of PCDFs and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The data are discussed in relation to key issues in the risk assessment of the toxic halogenated aromatics.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Involvement of cytochrome P-450c in alpha-naphthoflavone metabolism by rat liver microsomes.

Metabolism of alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) is increased markedly in rat liver microsomes by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), two inducers of cytochromes P-450c and P-450d (P-450c and P-450d). Although several indirect lines of evidence in the literature suggest that ANF is metabolized by P-450c, Vyas et al. [J. Biol. Chem. 258:5649-5659 (1983)] reported that ANF metabolism by 3-MC-induced rat liver microsomes was only partially inhibited by antibodies against P-450c. Our laboratory has previously reported clastogenic effects of metabolites of ANF, and in the present study we reexamined the role of P-450c in ANF metabolism by both uninduced and TCDD-induced rat liver microsomes, using monospecific polyclonal antibodies to P-450c and P-450d. ANF metabolism was inhibited to different extents in TCDD-induced microsomes by different preparations of anti-P-450c. One lot of anti-P-450c produced only 50% inhibition of ANF metabolism in TCDD-induced microsomes, whereas another lot of anti-P-450c inhibited ANF metabolism by 80%. Anti-P-450d had no effect on ANF metabolism. Neither anti-P-450c nor anti-P-450d inhibited ANF metabolism in uninduced rat liver microsomes. In a reconstituted enzyme system, purified P-450c metabolized ANF 47 and 510 times more rapidly than P-450d and P-450b, respectively. Metabolites resulting from oxidation at 7,8- or 5,6-positions (7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxy-ANF, 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-ANF, 5,6-oxide-ANF, and 6-hydroxy-ANF) were formed by all preparations of microsomes. An unknown toxic ANF metabolite was formed only with a reconstituted P-450c system and with 3-MC- or TCDD-induced microsomes. Our results indicate that P-450c is responsible for the majority of the metabolism of ANF in TCDD-induced microsomes, whereas other constitutive isozymes are responsible for the metabolism seen in uninduced liver microsomes. The variable inhibition of ANF metabolism with different lots of anti-P-450c probably reflects the differences in the proportion of antibodies to different epitopes important in the binding or metabolism of this substrate.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Relationships among benzo(a)pyrene metabolism, benzo(a)pyrene-diol-epoxide:DNA adduct formation, and sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes from smokers and nonsmokers.

In the present study, benzo(a)pyrene (BP) metabolism, DNA adduct formation, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, and sister chromatid exchange induction by BP were compared in human lymphocytes prepared from whole blood of smokers and nonsmokers following an in vitro incubation with BP. There was an approximate 7- to 10-fold variation in all parameters measured. To determine the source of this variation, participants were resampled, the assays were repeated, and all the data were analyzed to assess (a) smoking-related effects, (b) differences in multiple samples from the same individual, and (c) intraindividual, experimental, and interindividual variation. No smoking-related effects were observed except for baseline sister chromatid exchange frequency. The variation observed for BP-related DNA adducts and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity was primarily due to interindividual variation. For example, in vitro formation of DNA adducts did not change when samples were obtained at different times from the same individual and were not influenced significantly by culture conditions. No significant correlation existed between DNA adduct formation and BP metabolism [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.27] for either the total population or when segregated based on smoking status. Furthermore, no correlation was seen between DNA adducts and sister chromatid exchange induction by BP. Our studies have compared a number of commonly used lymphocyte markers and conclude that it is difficult to predict changes in one marker based on changes in another. However, in vitro formation, of PB-derived DNA adducts is consistent over time for individuals.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗
PubMed1989

Changes in estrogen receptor, DNA ploidy, and estrogen metabolism in rat hepatocytes during a two-stage model for hepatocarcinogenesis using 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol as the promoting agent.

17 alpha-Ethylestradiol (EE2) was administered chronically to diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated (200/mg/kg, i.p.) adult ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats, by means of Silastic implants at an estimated dose of 90 micrograms/kg/day. Isolated hepatocytes from DEN/EE2-treated animals exhibited a 2- to 3-fold increase in nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) levels throughout the promotion period. Furthermore, approximately 30-40% of the receptor was occupied when quantified by an exchange assay. For all groups the ER had a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 8S for unoccupied ER and a binding affinity for 17 beta-estradiol of 0.25 nM. An ER of lower affinity for estradiol was present in animals initiated with DEN and/or promoted with EE2. The increase in hepatocyte ER was associated with a 5.2-fold increase in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and 2.5-fold decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity at 20 weeks. EE2 treatment caused a 50% increase in the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of hepatic epidermal growth factor receptors, but the equilibrium binding constant (Kd) did not change. Modulation of mitotic activity of hepatocyte subpopulations by EE2 treatment was indicated by an increase in the proportion of diploid hepatocytes and an increase in the number of hepatocytes undergoing DNA synthesis. In general, effects on ER, epidermal growth factor receptor, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and glucose-6-phosphatase were greater in DEN/EE2-treated animals than in rats receiving only EE2. Modification of receptor pathways associated with hepatocyte growth control, ER and epidermal growth factor receptor, may be contributing factors in the clonal expansion of preneoplastic cells during EE2 promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Decreased ligand binding to the hepatic glucocorticoid and epidermal growth factor receptors after 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran treatment of pregnant mice.

2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF) and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HCDF) are environmental contaminants which mimic many of the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Like TCDD, these polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) induce hepatic benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity (BPH) and possess high affinity for the Ah receptor. Another similarity of these PCDFs to TCDD is their ability to induce teratogenic effects such as cleft palate and hydronephrosis in mice. Recent studies have shown that TCDD modifies the equilibrium binding kinetics of the rat liver cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor (GRc) and the hepatic plasma membrane epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. To gain a better understanding of the action of halogenated hydrocarbons on these cytosolic and membrane-bound receptor systems during pregnancy, we investigated the biochemical effects of PeCDF and HCDF on the binding kinetics of maternal mouse liver GRc and EGF receptors and the induction of BPH activities. Pregnant C57BL/6N mice were treated once daily on gestation Days 10 through 13 with PeCDF (0-30 micrograms/kg) or HCDF (0-300 micrograms/kg). Hepatic [3H]dexamethasone and [125I]EGF equilibrium binding studies indicated that all doses of PeCDF tested (10, 20, and 30 micrograms/kg) significantly reduced the GRc and EGF receptor maximum binding capacities but did not affect the binding affinities of these receptors when compared to corn oil-treated control pregnant mice. Similar effects were observed for doses of HCDF greater than or equal to 100 micrograms/kg. These data suggest that the dibenzofuran-mediated decreases in GRc and EGF receptor binding capacities are similar to those caused by TCDD. Although the mechanism of action is not yet clear, our results indicate that halogenated aromatic compounds in addition to TCDD have profound effects on both steroid and growth factor receptor systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The effect of dose, dose rate, route of administration, and species on tissue and blood levels of benzene metabolites.

Studies were completed in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice to determine the effect of dose, dose rate, route of administration, and rodent species on formation of total and individual benzene metabolites. Oral doses of 50 mg/kg or higher saturated the capacity for benzene metabolism in both rats and mice, resulting in an increased proportion of the administered dose being exhaled as benzene. The saturating air concentration for benzene metabolism during 6-hr exposures was between 130 and 900 ppm. At the highest exposure concentration, rats exhaled approximately half of the internal dose retained at the end of the 6-hr exposure as benzene; mice exhaled only 15% as benzene. Mice were able to convert more of the inhaled benzene to metabolites than were rats. In addition, mice metabolized more of the benzene by pathways leading to the putative toxic metabolites, benzoquinone and muconaldehyde, than did rats. In both rats and mice, the effect of increasing dose, administered orally or by inhalation, was to increase the proportion of the total metabolites that were the products of detoxification pathways relative to the products of pathways leading to putative toxic metabolites. This indicates low-affinity, high-capacity pathways for detoxification and high-affinity, low-capacity pathways leading to putative toxic metabolites. If the results of rodent studies performed at high doses were used to assess the health risk at low-dose exposures to benzene, the toxicity of benzene would be underestimated.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-mediated decreases in dexamethasone binding to rat hepatic cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor.

An investigation of the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the liver cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor (GRc) in intact and adrenalectomized (ADX) rats, using equilibrium binding analysis, sucrose gradient sedimentation, and affinity labeling experiments, clearly demonstrated that TCDD significantly reduced the binding capacity (Bmax) of the hepatic GRc but did not alter the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd). This effect was maximal after 24 hr and was still present 22 days after treatment. Western blot analysis revealed that TCDD treatment did not cause a comparable decrease in the levels of immunodetectable receptor protein, which suggests that the steroid-binding properties of the hepatic GRc are altered, rather than the absolute concentration of receptor protein. Studies of TCDD effects on the uptake of GRc by nuclei indicated that TCDD treatment did not alter the ability of the steroid-GRc complex to be taken up by nuclei; however, TCDD treatment did increase the total capacity of liver nuclei to bind steroid-GRc complexes. TCDD dose-response studies that compared the hepatic GRc steroid binding of ADX and intact rats indicated that adrenalectomy markedly enhanced the response to TCDD. Significant effects on the GRc binding in ADX animals were induced at TCDD doses that were 10,000 times lower than those required for a response in intact rats. Analysis of two other biochemical markers demonstrated that ADX rats were 10-fold more sensitive to the induction of microsomal benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase but of similar sensitivity to reduction of epidermal growth factor receptor binding, when compared with the responses of intact animals. These data indicate that adrenal status may be important in modulating the responses of the animals to TCDD and that the alteration of the hepatic GRc pathway may have a role in some of the actions of TCDD.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1988

Cytogenetic and chemical detection of human exposure to polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons.

Peripheral lymphocytes from Taiwanese women (n = 35) exposed to polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and from matched controls (n = 24) were assessed for the levels of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) after a 72-hour incubation of whole blood in the presence or absence of alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) and for chromosome aberrations after 48 hours of incubation. Serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were measured for all individuals, and serum levels of several polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured for 12 exposed individuals by gas chromatography-mass spectometry. Blood concentrations of total PCBs in the exposed population averaged approximately 15 ppb, whereas mean PCDF values were 14 ppt. Major PCB congeners detected were 2,2' 4,4', 5,5'-hexa CB and 2,2'3,4,4',5-hexa CB. PCDFs detected were primarily 1,2,3,4,7,8,-hexachlorodibenzofuran (10.8 ppt) and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (2.7 ppt). Average SCE frequencies were 7.61 for controls and 7.30 for exposed individuals when assays were conducted in the absence of ANF, whereas respective values were 8.85 and 10.75 in the presence of ANF. Differences in the level of ANF-induced SCEs between the two populations were highly significant (P less than .001). Moreover, the ANF-induced SCEs were highly correlated with the serum concentrations of total PCBs and of several PCB congeners (P less than .001). Increases in ANF-induced SCEs appeared to be linear up to a PCB concentration of approximately 30 ppb. Chromosome aberration frequencies were similar in control and exposed populations. These studies demonstrate that in vivo exposure to PCBs and PCDFs result in an enhanced sensitivity of lymphocytes to the SCE-causing actions of ANF.

Benzoflavones↗
PubMed1988

Metabolic activation of alpha-naphthoflavone by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin-induced rat liver microsomes.

Previous studies in our laboratory had demonstrated that addition of alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) to lymphocytes from smokers or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)s-exposed individuals caused an increase in sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency whereas lymphocytes from controls were relatively unaffected. In order to investigate the mechanism responsible, metabolism of ANF by uninduced and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD)-induced microsomes was studied as a function of microsomal protein concentration and incubation time. Nonpolar metabolites were analyzed and the amount of conjugated (polar) and protein-bound metabolites determined. The initial ANF-metabolism rate was 10-fold higher in TCDD-induced microsomes (4.9 +/- 0.6 nmol/min per mg TCDD-induced microsomal protein vs. 0.5 +/- 0.2 nmol/min per mg uninduced microsomal protein) than in uninduced microsomes. Moreover, uninduced microsomes no longer metabolize ANF after 30-40 min while TCDD-induced microsomes metabolize ANF for longer than 2 h or until all the ANF is gone. In addition to the metabolites formed by uninduced microsomes [7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxy-ANF (7,8-dihydrodiol); 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-ANF (5,6-dihydrodiol); 5,6-oxide-ANF and 6-hydroxy-ANF], TCDD-induced microsomes from unidentified metabolites. When TCDD-induced microsomes and 40 microM ANF were added to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, we found a correlation between the concentration of 5,6-oxide-ANF and clastogenicity to CHO cells. However, purified 5,6-oxide-ANF did not induce SCEs in CHO cells in the absence or presence of TCDD-induced microsomes. However, a minor metabolite (identified as the 9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxy-ANF by acid dehydration) formed with TCDD-induced microsomes produces clastogenicity in CHO cells. These data indicate that a minor metabolite of ANF is a potent clastogen which suggests that this metabolite may be responsible for the ANF-mediated increases in SCE frequency in lymphocytes from smokers or PCB-exposed individuals.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Increases in cytochrome P-450 mediated 17 beta-estradiol 2-hydroxylase activity in rat liver microsomes after both acute administration and subchronic administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in a two-stage hepatocarcinogenesis model.

Administration of single doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (10 micrograms/kg) increased estradiol 2-hydroxylase (E2OHase) activity approximately 2-fold in liver microsomes of female rats but had no effect on E2OHase activity in hepatic microsomes of male rats. In contrast, TCDD increased P-450d (an enzyme which has a high turnover number for E2OHase in a reconstituted enzyme system) 10- to 20-fold in livers of both male and female rats. The discrepancy between the increases in P-450d and E2OHase activity in liver microsomes of TCDD-induced rats was abolished by the addition of exogenous purified P-450 reductase to the microsomal assays for E2OHase, suggesting that reductase was limiting in the in vitro assays. When E2OHase activity was assayed in the presence of exogenous reductase, TCDD increased E2OHase 2-fold and 4-fold respectively in liver microsomes of male and female rates. Antibody to P-450d completely inhibited the increase in E2OHase activity in liver microsomes of TCDD-treated male and female rats, but had little effect on E2OHase activity in liver microsomes of untreated male or female rats. These data indicate that P-450d is responsible for the increase in E2OHase activity in TCDD-treated rats, but other P-450 isozymes are responsible for constitutive E2OHase activity. Biweekly administration of 1.4 micrograms/kg of TCDD for 30 weeks as a potential promoter of hepatocarcinogenesis increased the volume of the liver occupied by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-positive foci in livers of female rats given a necrogenic dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (200 mg/kg) as the initiator. Biweekly doses of 0.14-1.4 micrograms/kg TCDD in this model also increased P-450d (7-fold) and E2OHase activity maximally (4-fold) in DEN-initiated rats. Moreover, initiation with DEN substantially enhanced the effects of the low dose of TCDD on both hepatic microsomal P-450d and E2OHase activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Smoking-related alterations in epidermal growth factor and insulin receptors in human placenta.

Studies characterized insulin and EGF receptors in human placental tissue from smokers and nonsmokers. Specific binding of 125I-labeled insulin and EGF to placental membranes was not different for nonsmokers compared with smokers. EGF and insulin receptor kinases were further studied using a wheat germ agglutinin-purified preparation of solubilized placental membrane proteins. In extracts from the nonsmoker group, EGF stimulated the active phosphorylation of Mr 170,000 and 140,000 protein bands, which was half-maximal (EC50) at 5 x 10(-8) M. In extracts from the smokers group, however, phosphorylation of these two protein bands was barely detectable over a range of 0 to 10(-6) M EGF. Thus, EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of the 170,000 and 140,000 bands was markedly decreased in placental membranes from smokers. In contrast, insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of a 95,000 protein that was immunoprecipitated with anti-insulin receptor antiserum in membrane preparations from both nonsmokers and smokers. Dose-response curves for autophosphorylation indicate that EC50 values were 2.6 and 7.0 nM insulin for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively. Laser densitometry scan of the 95,000 band on autoradiograms further showed that maximal 32P incorporation was 30% greater in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Analysis of the insulin-dependent phosphorylation of an exogenous substrate, poly(Glu,Tyr) (4:1), showed a similar pattern of values for nonsmokers versus smokers. These results indicate that insulin receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity were normal or increased, whereas EGF-stimulated kinase activity was markedly decreased in placental membrane proteins from smokers. Western blot analysis using an antiserum to the EGF receptor showed the presence of immunoreactive bands of 126,000 and 150,000-170,000 in receptor preparations from nonsmokers, whereas only the 126,000 protein was detected in preparations from smokers. Thus, the smoking-related deficiency in EGF receptor autophosphorylation appeared to be due to the absence of a 150,000-170,000 receptor protein. In conclusion, maternal cigarette smoking is associated with selective alterations in two major receptor-mediated pathways thought to be involved in cell growth and differentiation in human placenta.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

alpha-Naphthoflavone metabolized by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo(p)dioxin-induced rat liver microsomes: a potent clastogen in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

alpha-Naphthoflavone (ANF) is a widely used inhibitor of P-450-mediated metabolism. Previously, we have demonstrated that in vitro addition of ANF to human lymphocytes produced significantly greater numbers of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in samples from smokers compared to nonsmokers. In order to study the mechanism of this differential induction, we investigated the clastogenic activity of ANF as a consequence of metabolism by induced and uninduced rat liver microsomes. Exponentially growing Chinese hamster ovary cells were treated with ANF for 2 h in the presence or absence of microsomes, followed by incubation for 12 (chromosome aberrations) or 24 h (SCEs). ANF induced concentration (4 to 40 microM)-dependent increases in SCEs and chromosome aberrations when coincubated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo(p)dioxin-induced microsomes. At the lower concentrations of ANF, chromatid damage was most predominant, whereas at the higher concentrations, a high percentage of cells was killed. The surviving cells exhibited shattered chromosomes and multiple damage in the form of chromatid exchanges and breaks. ANF was not clastogenic nor did it induce SCEs in Chinese hamster ovary cells when incubated with microsomes from control rats or phenobarbital-treated rats. Moreover, NADPH was required for the clastogenic actions of ANF in the presence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo(p)dioxin-induced microsomes. Analysis of the ANF metabolites by high-pressure liquid chromatography revealed that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo(p)dioxin-induced microsomes metabolized ANF to a much greater extent than control or phenobarbital-induced microsomes. Our results suggest that the clastogenic activity of ANF in Chinese hamster ovary cells is mediated by the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Continued development of hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive foci upon withdrawal of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol in diethylnitrosamine-initiated rats.

Adult ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a single initiating dose of 200 mg diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/kg, i.p. 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) was then chronically administered to the rats by means of s.c. Silastic implants at an estimated dose of 90 micrograms EE2/kg/day. Hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive foci were evaluated after 20-60 (+20,+30,...,+60) weeks of chronic EE2 treatment and after 20 or 30 weeks of EE2 followed by 20 or 30 weeks with no EE2 [(+20,-20), (+30,-20), (+30,-30)] to determine the effects of withdrawal of the promoting agent on the persistence or reversibility of these focal lesions. Our results show that gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive foci are no longer dependent on exogenous EE2 administration for their continued growth in initiated animals given EE2 chronically for 20 weeks. In DEN-initiated, EE2-promoted animals the number of foci per cc (Nv) seen at 20 weeks increased over the next 20 weeks in the absence of further EE2 treatment, but was not statistically different than Nv for continued EE2 treatment. The proportion of total liver volume occupied by foci (Vv) was 0.0054 (+30), 0.0191 (+30,-20), and 0.0135 (+50). The (+30,-20) Vv was significantly different than that for (+30) (P less than 0.01). Hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas were detected in DEN-initiated and EE2- promoted animals as early as 30 weeks. Hepatic tumor incidence continued to increase after withdrawal of EE2 in initiated animals which had received only 30 weeks of promotion. Within the framework of our studies, the promoting effects of EE2 do not appear to be reversible by withdrawal of EE2 after 20 weeks of treatment. It may be that events or factors which were estrogen dependent in the early stages of promotion are now constitutive.

Animals↗