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Biomedical subjects

H Greim

Publications and source records attributed to H Greim.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Chlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in blood and human milk of non occupationally exposed persons living in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator.

The concentrations of chlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in human blood and in milk from non-occupationally exposed persons living in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator were determined. As compared to background levels in the general population in Germany the results give no indication of an enhanced body burden of PCDD/F. This is in agreement with earlier investigations in the same area, showing normal background concentrations in soil, fruit and vegetables. In conclusion, no direct health hazard related to PCDD/F-emissions from a local municipal waste incinerator may be expected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Stable expression and coexpression of human cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase and cytochrome P450 1A2 in V79 Chinese hamster cells: sensitivity to quinones and biotransformation of 7-alkoxyresorufins and triazines.

V79 Chinese hamster cell lines were genetically engineered for the stable expression of human NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CYPOR) alone or for the combined expression of CYPOR and human cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2). As determined by immunoblotting, the expression level of CYP1A2 in the latter cell line was found to be the same as in a previously constructed V79 cell line expressing CYP1A2 only. The heterologous expression of CYPOR in V79 cells resulted in increased sensitivity to quinone-type cytotoxins, e.g. duroquinone and menadione, that exert their toxicity primarily through the production of reactive oxygen species during redox cycling. The metabolic properties of the cell line expressing both CYPOR and CYP1A2 were characterized regarding dealkylation and deethylation of 7-alkoxyresorufins and sulfoxidation of the triazine derivatives ametryne and terbutryne, in comparison with the cell line expressing only CYP1A2. Increased CYPOR activity impaired the CYP1A2-dependent fluorometric resorufin assay, presumably by conversion of the 7-alkoxyresorufins and resorufin to their one-electron-reduced semiquinoneimine forms. The CYP1A2-dependent metabolism of the triazine derivatives ametryne and terbutryne was moderately enhanced by increased CYPOR activity. Interestingly, with CYPOR overexpression sulfoxidation was increased 2-3-fold, compared with N-deethylation, with a 1.3-1.9-fold increase. Thus, the level of CYPOR not only had an influence on CYP1A2 activity rates but also affected the relative proportions of metabolites in CYP1A2-specific metabolite profiles.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Stable expression of human cytochrome P450 2E1 in V79 Chinese hamster cells.

A V79 Chinese hamster cell line was constructed for stable expression of human cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) by integration of a SV40 Early promoter recombinant CYP2E1 cDNA into the chromosomal DNA. The cDNA encoded CYP2E1 was effectively expressed and enzymatically active, as shown by hydroxylation of chlorzoxazone and of p-nitrophenol, at rates of about 70 pmol x mg-1 total protein x min-1. CYP2E1 content and activity was increased upon cultivation in the presence of ethanol indicating a substrate mediated stabilization effect. A similar stabilizing effect was also observed for inhibitors of CYP2E1, e.g. imidazole, 4-methylpyrazole, and isoniazid. The feasibility of the newly established cell line V79MZh2E1 for toxicological studies was shown by CYP2E1-mediated activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine and p-nitrophenol and a dose-dependent cytotoxic and mutagenic effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Assessment of structurally related chemicals: toxicity and ecotoxicity of acrylic acid and acrylic acid alkyl esters (acrylates), methacrylic acid and methacrylic acid alkyl esters (methacrylates).

BUA compiled the available data on toxicity and ecotoxicity for several acrylic and methacrylic acid esters and their corresponding acids. A comparison of these data revealed a qualitative similarity in the toxicological and ecotoxicological properties of the compounds considered. The data indicate that methacrylates are less reactive than the corresponding acrylates.

Acrylates↗
PubMed1995

Genetically engineered mammalian cells and applications.

In general, cells genetically engineered for stable and defined expression of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes are useful tools whenever a metabolism-related problem in toxicology and pharmacology is to be solved. It is the genetic and phenotypic nature of a given cell that determines its applicability. Mammalian cells have useful characteristics not given in bacterial, yeast or insect cells, which also may express xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. It is the problem to be solved and the question to be answered which determine the optimal choice for the best-suited expression system. There may even be subtle differences between mammalian cells of different species and organ origin, which might play a role in choosing a mammalian expression system. Thus, the level and specificity of the xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme, the experimental testing conditions, and the biological endpoints present in a chosen cell are the most important criteria to be observed in the application of the mammalian expression systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cytochrome P450 mediated reactions studied in genetically engineered V79 Chinese hamster cells.

V79 Chinese hamster cells genetically engineered for stable expression of rat and human CYP have been shown to serve as analytical tools for studying metabolism related problems in toxicology and pharmacology. Here, the application of rat and human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 is demonstrated for comparative studies on the oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as phenanthrene, benz[a]anthracene, and benzo[a]pyrene. Live cells were cultivated for 2 days in the presence of these chemicals. Thereafter, the supernatant medium was checked for metabolites by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Marked cytochromes P450 and species dependent differences in the metabolite profiles were observed. Most important was the finding, that human cytochrome P450 1A1 almost exclusively oxidized benzo[a]pyrene in the 7,8,9,10-position, yielding the ultimate carcinogen 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene whereas the rat cytochrome P450 1A1 oxidized benzo[]pyrene in the 4,5-position and 7,8,9,10-position. The importance of this finding is underlined by results from cytotoxicity studies. Benzo[a]pyrene was twice as cytotoxic in the human cytochrome P450 1A1 than in the rat cytochrome P450 1A1 expressing V79 cells. Species and cytochrome P450 specific metabolite profiles were also observed for phenanthrene and benz[a]anthracene.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Biomarkers as tools in human health risk assessment.

Evaluation of occupational or environmental risk due to exposure to chemicals requires sufficient information on the toxic profiles, mechanisms of action, toxicokinetics, dose-response relation, exposure, and the target dose. Usually exposure is estimated by measuring concentrations of the agent in air, food, water, soil, dust, or other media with which a population or an individual is in contact. However, this external exposure is only a rough estimate for the internal exposure (agent dose or its metabolite at the critical target in the organism). Factors of influence are bioavailability of the chemicals, variations in concentrations and routes of exposure, physical activity, and individual variation in rates of metabolism, distribution, and excretion. All these affect the concentration of the toxic agent at the critical target, which is the most precise information for risk assessment. Thus, internal exposure is best measured by determining the concentration of the toxicant or its ultimate metabolite at the critical site in the target organ or by determining adducts with cellular macromolecules such as proteins, amino acids, DNA, or its bases. The latter are easily available in experimental toxicology from animal experiments but only occasionally from humans. For health surveillance such data usually are not available, because they require invasive procedures such as biopsies. Therefore, more accessible body fluids or tissue are used, such as blood, urine, or adipose tissue, or adducts with macromolecules such as albumin or hemoglobin in the blood, DNA adducts in peripheral lymphocytes, or altered DNA bases in urine such as 8-hydroxyguanine. All of these are indicators for exposure, whereas risk can only be estimated if the correlation between their deviations from normal and the dose-response at the critical target is known.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of cytochromes P4501A by nitric oxide.

Inflammatory stimulation of the liver leads to the induction of nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis. Because NO binds to the catalytic heme moiety of cytochromes P450 (CYPs), we investigated whether NO interferes with specific CYP-dependent metabolic pathways. In a first experimental approach V79 Chinese hamster cells genetically engineered for stable expression of rat and human CYP1A1 and -1A2 were used. Incubation with the NO donors sodium nitroprusside and S-nitrosylacetylpenicillamine led to a concentration-dependent inhibition of all four CYP enzymes. CYP1A1 was more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of NO than CYP1A2. In the second part of the study, endogenous NO synthesis was induced in rat hepatocytes by incubation with a mixture of cytokines and endotoxin. Concurrently, as NO production in hepatocytes increased within 24 hr, a decrease in CYP1A1-dependent benzo[a]pyrene turnover was observed to almost undetectable levels. The competitive inhibitor of NO synthesis, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, was able to significantly restore CYP1A1 activity in the presence of cytokines and endotoxin. Inhibition of hepatocellular CYP activity by NO was predominantly due to a direct effect on the enzymes. However, NO-dependent inhibition of CYP expression at a transcriptional level was also demonstrated. Our results indicate that inhibition of NO biosynthesis in patients suffering from systemic inflammatory response syndromes may help to restore biotransformation capacity of the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

New scientific arguments for regulation of ethylene oxide residues in skin-care products.

Ethylene oxide (EO) occurs as a contaminant of skin-care products because current commercial preparations of polyglycol ethers may contain ethylene oxide monomer residues, up to the order of 1 ppm. Using current regulatory worst-case assumptions, the presence of EO in skin-care products might lead to a maximal human daily external ethylene oxide dose of about 2.8 micrograms, and a consecutive maximal daily absorbed dose of 0.39 microgram. Two methods of toxicokinetic analysis have been used to compare this possible EO load by use of skin-care products with the inevitable load of EO which is produced endogenously in the organism. On the basis of a previous assessment of the endogenous production of ethylene and ethylene oxide (Filser et al. 1992) it is inferred that the absorbed EO dose of 0.39 microgram is about 1/30 of the unavoidable human endogenous load by endogenous EO. Alternatively, for a second calculation molecular dosimetry data have been used which were based on experimental quantification of the hydroxyethyl adduct of EO to the N-terminal valine of hemoglobin (HOEtVal) in rats. If the worst-case assumptions for human EO absorption from skin-care products are transferred to the rat species, the associated internal EO doses are about 1/110 of the internal EO doses which were calculated from the background HOEtVal concentrations observed in untreated animals. The divergence between both lines of calculation is mainly due to differences in HOEtVal background concentrations between man and rat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of intercellular communication of rat hepatocytes by nafenopin: involvement of protein kinase C.

Peroxisome proliferators (PPs) have been shown to cause tumours in rodent liver. The mechanism of action of these chemicals is only poorly understood. Current evidence, however, suggests that they may cause tumours through a tumour promoting activity. In the present study we therefore evaluated the effect of three peroxisome proliferators on gap junctional intercellular communication (IC) of cultured hepatocytes. Interference with IC is thought to be one of the mechanisms involved in tumour promotion. IC was detected by dye coupling of hepatocytes using microinjection of Lucifer Yellow CH. Five hours after plating, coupling of the cells amounted to approximately 90%. Incubation of hepatocytes with the PPs mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP), nafenopin and [4-chloro-6-(2,3- xylidino)-2-pyrimidylthio]acetic acid (Wy-14,643) decreased dye coupling of the hepatocytes. Half maximal effects were obtained at approximately 50 microM nafenopin, 150 microM Wy-14,643 and 200 microM MEHP. Addition of the specific inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase C isoenzymes, Gö 6976 (2 microM), prevented inhibition of IC by nafenopin, but not by the two other peroxisome proliferators. Further studies suggest significant differences in the mechanisms underlying inhibition of dye coupling between hepatocytes by nafenopin and by phenobarbital, a known tumour promoter in the liver. The results show that the PPs nafenopin, MEHP and Wy-14,643 decrease IC between cultured hepatocytes. Inhibition of IC by nafenopin, but not by MEHP and Wy-14,643, is most likely mediated by Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase C isoenzymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Genetically engineered in vitro systems for biotransformation studies.

In order to understand cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of xenobiotics such as drugs and pollutants, several cell systems are genetically engineered for metabolic competence by cloning cDNAs encoding cytochrome P450 and other enzymes and by heterologous expression in bacterial, yeast, and mammalian cells. Genetically engineered cell systems are defined for the cDNA enzyme function. In conjunction with cell intrinsic properties, these genetically engineered cell systems can be used for the assessment of metabolism-dependent pharmacological and/or toxicological effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Stable expression of human cytochrome P450 1A1 cDNA in V79 Chinese hamster cells and metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene.

A V79 Chinese hamster cell line stably expressing human cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) was obtained by chromosomal integration of the human CYP1A1 cDNA under the control of the SV40 early promoter. Chromosomal integration was verified by Southern analysis, and effective transcription of the human CYP1A1 cDNA was demonstrated by Northern analysis. The CYP1A1 cDNA-encoded protein was characterized by Western analysis using anti-rat CYP1A1. Intracellular association of CYP1A1 with the endoplasmic reticulum could be visualized by in situ immunofluorescence. Crude cell lysates of the V79 derived cell line was able to catalyze 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation (EROD) with an activity of about 50 pmol min-1 mg-1 total protein, and an aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity (AHH) of 25 pmol min-1 mg-1. CYP1A1 dependent cytotoxicity, measured by neutral red uptake, and genotoxicity, determined by the frequency of micronucleus formation, of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P-7,8-diol) could be demonstrated at substrate concentrations as low as 10 nM. Thus, this cell line presents a sensitive tool for studying CYP1A1 mediated metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). B[a]P and the purified (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of B[a]P-7,8-diol were compared for their mutagenicity. The (-)-enantiomer was found to be 3-5-fold more mutagenic than the (+)-enantiomer.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Relative potency of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) in acute, subchronic and chronic (carcinogenicity) toxicity studies: implications for risk assessment of chemical mixtures.

This paper shows that the relative toxic potency of four chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) is similar in two species with different sensitivities (guinea pig, Sprague-Dawley rat). More importantly, it also demonstrates that the relative toxic potencies of these homologues are very similar for acute, subchronic and chronic dosing in the same species (rat). Furthermore, examination of different endpoints of toxicity (mortality, porphyria, carcinogenicity) suggests that the dose-responses for these diverse end-points after acute, subchronic, and chronic administration are very similar if not identical for tetra-CDD. Based on toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic considerations, a new, possibly generalizable rule (average tissue concentration x time = toxicity) is derived for CDDs. Implicit in the relative potency arguments of CDDs is the requirement of a practical threshold dose for all endpoints of toxicity including cancer.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Species-specific pharmacokinetics of styrene in rat and mouse.

The pharmacokinetics of styrene were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats and male B6C3F1 mice using the closed chamber technique. Animals were exposed to styrene vapors of initial concentrations ranging from 550 to 5000 ppm, or received intraperitoneal (i.p.) doses of styrene from 20 to 340 mg/kg or oral (p.o.) doses of styrene in olive oil from 100 to 350 mg/kg. Concentration-time courses of styrene in the chamber atmosphere were monitored and analyzed by a pharmacokinetic two-compartment model. In both species, the rate of metabolism of inhaled styrene was concentration dependent. At steady state it increased linearly with exposure concentration up to about 300 ppm; more than 95% of inhaled styrene was metabolized and only small amounts were exhaled unchanged. At these low concentrations transport to the metabolizing enzymes and not their metabolic capacity was the rate limiting step for metabolism. Pharmacokinetic behaviour of styrene was strongly influenced by physiological parameters such as blood flow and especially the alveolar ventilation rate. At exposure concentrations of styrene above 300 ppm the rate of metabolism at steady state was progressively limited by biochemical parameters of the metabolizing enzymes. Saturation of metabolism (Vmax) was reached at atmospheric concentrations of about 700 ppm in rats and 800 ppm in mice, Vmax being 224 mumol/(h.kg) and 625 mumol/(h.kg), respectively. The atmospheric concentrations at Vmax/2 were 190 ppm in rats and 270 ppm in mice. Styrene accumulates preferentially in the fatty tissue as can be deduced from its partition coefficients in olive oil:air and water:air which have been determined in vitro at 37 degrees C to be 5600 and 15. In rats and mice exposed to styrene vapors below 300 ppm, there was little accumulation since the uptake was rate limiting. The bioaccumulation factor body:air at steady state (K'st*) was rather low in comparison to the thermodynamic partition coefficient body:air (Keq) which was determined to be 420. K'st* increased from 2.7 at 10 ppm to 13 at 310 ppm in the rat and from 5.9 at 20 ppm to 13 at 310 ppm in the mouse. Above 300 ppm, K'st* increased considerably with increasing concentration since metabolism became saturated in both species. At levels above 2000 ppm K'st* reached its maximum of 420 being equivalent to Keq. Pretreatment with diethyldithiocarbamate, administered intraperitoneally (200 mg/kg in rats, 400 mg/kg in mice) 15 min prior to exposure of styrene vapours, resulted in effective inhibition of styrene metabolism, indicating that most of the styrene is metabolized by cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1992

Genetically engineered V79 Chinese hamster cells for stable expression of human cytochrome P450IA2.

V79 Chinese hamster cells were genetically engineered for stable expression of human P450IA2. Full length cDNA, encoding human P450IA2, was inserted into an SV40 early promoter containing eukaryotic expression vector and cointroduced with the selection marker neomycin phosphotransferase (conferring resistance to the neomycin derivative G418) into V79 Chinese hamster cells. The recombinant expression vector was introduced into two different V79 sublines, one expressing an endogenous acetyltransferase (V79-NH), the other not (V79-MZ). The presence of human cytochrome CYP1A2 cDNA in the G418 resistant V79 cell clones was confirmed by Southern blotting. The transcription of the cDNA into mRNA was detected by Northern blotting and the translation into an authentic cytochrome P450IA2 protein was shown by Western blotting. The enzymatic activity in these cells was determined by the cytochrome P450IA2-dependent methoxy-, ethoxy-, benzoxy-, and pentoxyresorufin dealkylation activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cyproterone acetate induces DNA damage in cultured rat hepatocytes and preferentially stimulates DNA synthesis in gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive cells.

The synthetic anti-androgen and progestin cyproterone acetate (CPA) is known to increase the liver tumor rate in rats. The tumorigenicity of CPA has been attributed to a tumor-promoting activity of the steroid. In order to discover whether CPA acts directly on preneoplastic liver cells or via indirect effects, we investigated whether CPA stimulates replicative DNA synthesis in vitro in hepatocytes isolated from carcinogen-treated rats (two-thirds hepatectomy, 1 x 30 mg diethylnitrosamine per kg and 0.1% phenobarbital in the drinking water) and whether the degree of stimulation differs in gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)-positive, putatively preneoplastic and GGT-negative, 'normal' hepatocytes. The possibility that CPA might also have initiating potential was investigated by studying its effects on DNA repair synthesis. Stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation into the DNA by CPA was only observed in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) (10 ng/ml) and insulin (10 mU/ml). Maximal effects were obtained between 2 and 10 microM. DNA synthesis in the presence of EGF/insulin was reduced by the 'pure' anti-androgen flutamide, but stimulated by the 'pure' progestin promegestone. In the presence of CPA, EGF and insulin, the labelling index was twice as high in GGT-positive as in GGT-negative liver cells, regardless of whether mitogens were added at 48 or 72 h. The labelling index did not differ in the GGT-positive and negative hepatocytes when CPA was omitted. These findings are consistent with the idea that CPA has tumor-promoting activity. CPA significantly induced repair synthesis in the isolated hepatocytes from both untreated and carcinogen-treated rats. This increase was detected at a concentration as low as 2 microM and maximal effects were obtained at 20 microM. These results indicate that CPA is not only a tumor-promoting, but also a genotoxic chemical, i.e. that it might also have an initiating potential.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Key enzymes of gluconeogenesis are dose-dependently reduced in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-treated rats.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (240-245 g) were dosed ip with 5, 15, 25, or 125 micrograms/kg -,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in corn oil. Ad libitum-fed and pair-fed controls received vehicle (4 ml/kg) alone. Two or 8 days after dosing five rats of each group were sacrificed, their livers removed and assayed for the activities of three gluconeogenic enzymes [phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EC 4.1.1.32), pyruvate carboxylase (PC; EC 6.4.1.1), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase, EC 3.13.9)], and one glycolytic enzyme [pyruvate kinase (PK; EC 2.7.1.40)] by established procedures. The activity of PK was not affected by TCDD at either time point. The activity of G-6-Pase tended to be decreased in TCDD-treated animals, as compared to pair-fed controls, but the decrease was variable without an apparent dose-response. The activity of PEPCK was significantly decreased 2 days after dosing, but a clear dose-response was apparent only at the 8-day time point. Maximum loss of activity at the highest dose was 56% below pair-fed control levels. PC activity was slightly decreased 2 days after TCDD treatment and displayed statistically significant, dose-dependent reduction by 8 days after dosing with a 49% loss of enzyme activity after the highest dose. It is concluded that inhibition of gluconeogenesis by TCDD previously demonstrated in vivo is probably due to decreased activities of PEPCK and PC. The data also support the prevailing view that PEPCK and PC are rate-determining enzymes in gluconeogenesis.

Animals↗