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Biomedical subjects

H D Colby

Publications and source records attributed to H D Colby.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Lipid peroxidation in guinea pig lung microsomes.

The effects of substances known to influence lipid peroxidation were studied in guinea pig lung microsomes by measuring the formation of malonaldehyde in vitro. Incubation of lung microsomes at 37 degrees C results in lipid peroxidation which appears to be an enzymatic process but is not dependent upon iron. Lipid peroxidation can be initiated non-enzymatically in lung microsomes by Fe2+, but ascorbate and Fe3+ have very little effect on malonaldehyde formation. The effects of NADPH on lipid peroxidation are dependent upon the concentration of Fe2+ in the incubation medium. At concentrations of Fe2+ between 0.05 mM and 1 mM, addition of NADPH causes an increase in lipid peroxidation over that produced by Fe2+ alone. This stimulation by NADPH is an enzymatic process and phosphate is required for the maximal effect. Addition of NADPH to lung microsomes in the presence of Fe3+ does not increase malonaldehyde formation over that produced by Fe3+ alone, suggesting that NADPH does not influence lipid peroxidation by maintaining iron in the reduced form. At concentrations of Fe2+ greater than 1 mM, NADPH inhibits Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in normal microsomes and in microsomes in which enzymes have been inactivated with heat. This latter result suggests that the inhibition by NADPH is at least partially non-enzymatic. The result suggests that the inhibition by NADPH is at least partially non-enzymatic. The results of all of these experiments are discussed and compared with those obtained during lipid peroxidation in liver microsomes. We conclude that the processes involved in pulmonary microsomal lipid peroxidation differ significantly from those in hepatic microsomes.

Animals↗

Is growth hormone the pituitary feminizing factor mediating the actions of estradiol on hepatic drug and steroid metabolism?

Previous studies have established that the effects of estradiol (E2) on hepatic steroid and drug metabolism are demonstrable only in the presence of the pituitary gland. Studies were carried out to test the hypothesis that GH is the pituitary feminizing factor mediating the actions of E2 on hepatic metabolism. E2 and GH administered to castrated male rats had similar effects on hepatic enzymes, decreasing the oxidataive metabolism of drugs [ethylmorphine demethylation, aniline, hydroxylation, and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation) and increasing steroid (corticosterone) delta 4-hydrogenase activity. None of these effects of E2 or GH could be demonstrated in hypophysectomized (hypox) rats. However, GH administration to T4- or ACTH-treated hypox rats resulted in some of the changes in drug and steroid metabolism seen in animals with intact pituitary glands. The actions of GH on hepatic microsomal enzymes were fully demonstrable in hypox rats receiving both T4 and ACTH. E2 had no effects in T4 plus ACTH-treated hypox rats. These and prior observations are consistent with the hypothesis that GH mediates the actions of E2 on hepatic microsomal drug- and steroid-metabolizing enzymes. The data also indicates that the cations of GH on hepatic metabolism are dependent upon the interactions with still other endocrine factors.

Aniline Hydroxylase↗

Changes in adrenal microsomal cytochrome(s) P-450 with aging in the guinea pig.

Studies were carried out to investigate the mechanism(s) responsible for the changes in adrenal microsomal mixed function oxidase activity which occur with aging (30-200 days) in guinea pigs. With aging, the rate os metabolism of xenobiotics [ethylmorphine and benzo(a)pyrene] by adrenal microsomes increased 3- to 5-fold. Steroid 17 alpha- and 21-hydroxylations, when expressed per mg protein, were similar in immature (30 days old) and mature (200 days old) animals. Adrenal microsomal NADPH- and NADH-cytochrome c reductase activities and cytochrome b5 concentrations increased wih aging, but cytochrome P-450 concentrations were not significantly different in young and old guinea pigs. Maximal type I difference spectra produced by steroids were the same in adrenal microsomes from 30- and 200-day-old guinea pigs, but the ethylmorphine-induced spectrum was far greater in the older animals. Progesterone enhanced NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity to about the same extent in adrenal microsomes from 30- and 200-day-old guinea pigs. Ethylmorphine had no effect on the rate of reduction of cytochrome P-450 in adrenals from young animals but produced a 4-fold increase in activity in adrenals from older animals. The results demonstrate selective changes in adrenal xenobiotic metabolism with aging and suggest that changes in the composition and/or reactivity of adrenal cytochromes P-450 are responsible for the effects of aging.

Adrenal Glands↗

Interaction of prostaglandins with adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450 in the guinea pig.

Studies were carried out to investigate the effects of prostaglandins (PG) in vitro on adrenal microsomal steroid and drug metabolism in the guinea pig. The addition of PGE1, PGE2, PGA1, PGF1 alpha or PGF2 alpha to isolated adrenal microsomes produced typical type I difference spectra. The sizes of the spectra (delta A385-420) produced by prostaglandins were smaller than those produced by various steroids including progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 11 beta-hydroxyprogesterone. However, the affinities of prostaglandins and steroids for adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450, as estimated by the spectral dissociation constants, were similar. Prior addition of prostaglandins to isolated adrenal microsomes did not affect steroid binding to cytochrome P-450 or the rate of steroid 21-hydroxylation. In contrast, prostaglandins inhibited adrenal metabolism of ethylmorphine and diminished the magnitude of the ethylmorphine-induced spectral change in adrenal microsomes. The results indicate that prostaglandins inhibit adrenal drug metabolism by interfering with substrate binding to cytochrome P-450. Since 21-hydroxylation was unaffected by PG, different cytochrome P-450 moieties are probably involved in adrenal drug and steroid metabolism.

Adrenal Glands↗

Mechanism of action of prolactin on adrenocortical steroid secretion in hypophysectomized female rats.

Studies were carried out to determine the actions of PRL on adrenocortical function in hypophysectomized female rats in the presence and absence of ACTH. PRL administration alone decreased 5 alpha-reductase activity but did not significantly affect the rates of corticosterone secretion or peripheral plasma corticosterone concentrations. The activities of several steroidogenic enzymes (cholesterol desmolase, 11 beta-hydroxylase, and 21-hydroxylase) were also unaffected by PRL. Adrenal steroidogenesis was increased by ACTH treatment, as expected, resulting in an increase in corticosterone secretion. However, since adrenal 5 alpha-reductase activity was higher in ACTH-treated hypophysectomized rats than in normal animals with intact pituitary glands, large amounts of 5 alpha-dihydrocorticosterone (DHB) and 3 beta, 5 alpha-tetrahydrocorticosterone (THB) were also secreted. PRL, when administered in combination with ACTH, potentiated the effecte levels. PRL did not affect cholesterol side chain cleavage, 11 beta-hydroxylation, or 21-hydroxylation in ACTH-treated rats. However, administration of PRL to ACTH-treated rats lowered adrenal 5 alpha-reductase activity, decreasing DHB and THB secretion. The decrease in DHB and THB secretion approximated the increase in corticosterone output. The results indicate that, in the presence of ACTH, PRL increases corticosterone secretion by decreasing intraadrenal degradation of corticosterone and not by enhancing steroidogenesis.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

Requirement of the pituitary gland for gonadal hormone effects on hepatic drug metabolism in rats.

Previous studies have demonstrated an important role for the pituitary gland in the regulation of hepatic drug and steroid metabolism. The present studies were carried out to determine the relationship between the pituitary gland and the actions of gonadal hormones on hepatic drug metabolism in rats. Testosterone administration to castrated male rats increased hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 concentrations and enhanced the rates of ethylmorphine demethylation and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation. Estradiol treatment, on the other hand, lowered cytochrome P-450 levels and decreased the rates of aniline, ethylmorphine and benzo(a)pyrene metabolism in orchiectomized rats. However, when given to hypophysectomized male rats, neither testosterone nor estradiol affected cytochrome P-450 levels or enzyme activities. Similarly, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone administration increased hepatic drug metabolism only in the presence of the pituitary gland. The effects of both testosterone and estradiol were fully demonstrable in the absence of the thyroid or adrenal glands, excluding the need for either organ. The results indicate an absolute dependence on the pituitary gland for gonadal hormone (testosterone and estradiol) actions on hepatic mixed-function oxidases.

Adrenalectomy↗