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Biomedical subjects

P E Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to P E Thomas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hazard evaluation of diisononyl phthalate and diisodecyl phthalate in a Japanese medaka multigenerational assay.

Reproductive and developmental effects of diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) were evaluated in a Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) multigeneration protocol. Each phthalate was administered via fish flake diets at a concentration of 20 microg/g (1 microg/g fish/day). Two controls were included, untreated and acetone carrier. The F(0) and F(1) generation adults were reared to sexual maturation and the test was ended prior to sexual maturation of the F(2) generation. Biochemical, individual, and population parameters were evaluated: testosterone metabolism, 7-ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (EROD) activity, survival, development, growth, gonadal-somatic index, histopathology, sex ratio, and fecundity. Male fish showed a two-fold induction of several testosterone metabolites in the DINP-treated group compared to the untreated control but not the acetone control. In a similar manner, in female fish only the DIDP-treated group expressed greater testosterone hydroxylase activity. There were neither sex- nor treatment-related differences in the results from the EROD assay. A statistically significant transient delay in red blood cell pigmentation was observed. The male-to-female ratio was consistent across treatments and the phenotypic and histological gender classifications were in agreement. Egg production was not significantly different among treatment groups. Neither phthalate elicited an effect on reproduction or development at various levels of biological organization.

Animals↗

The effects of steroidal estrogens in ACI rat mammary carcinogenesis: 17beta-estradiol, 2-hydroxyestradiol, 4-hydroxyestradiol, 16alpha-hydroxyestradiol, and 4-hydroxyestrone.

Several investigators have suggested that certain hydroxylated metabolites of 17beta-estradiol (E2) are the proximate carcinogens that induce mammary carcinomas in estrogen-sensitive rodent models. The studies reported here were designed to examine the carcinogenic potential of different levels of E2 and the effects of genotoxic metabolites of E2 in an in vivo model sensitive to E2-induced mammary cancer. The potential induction of mammary tumors was determined in female ACI rats subcutaneously implanted with cholesterol pellets containing E2 (1, 2, or 3 mg), or 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH E2), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OH E2), 16alpha-hydroxyestradiol (16alpha-OH E2), or 4-hydoxyestrone (4-OH E1) (equimolar to 2 mg E2). Treatment with 1, 2, or 3 mg E2 resulted in the first appearance of a mammary tumor between 12 and 17 weeks, and a 50% incidence of mammary tumors was observed at 36, 19, and 18 weeks respectively. The final cumulative mammary tumor incidence in rats treated with 1, 2, or 3 mg E2 for 36 weeks was 50%, 73%, and 100% respectively. Treatment of rats with pellets containing 2-OH E2, 4-OH E2, 16alpha-OH E2, or 4-OH E1 did not induce any detectable mammary tumors. The serum levels of E2 in rats treated with a 1 or 3 mg E2 pellet for 12 weeks was increased 2- to 6-fold above control values (approximately 30 pg/ml). Treatment of rats with E2 enhanced the hepatic microsomal metabolism of E2 to E1, but did not influence the 2- or 4-hydroxylation of E2). In summary, we observed a dose-dependent induction of mammary tumors in female ACI rats treated continuously with E2; however, under these conditions 2-OH E2, 4-OH E2, 16alpha-OH E2, and 4-OH E1 were inactive in inducing mammary tumors.

Animals↗

Genetic variability of genomic RNA 2 of four tobacco rattle tobravirus isolates from potato fields in the Northwestern United States.

Sequence analysis of RNA 2 of four Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) isolates collected from potato fields in Oregon (OR2, Umt1), Washington (BM), and Colorado (Cot2) revealed significant homologies to the ORY isolate from North America. Phylogenetic analysis based on a comparison of nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequences with other members of the genus Tobravirus indicates that the North American isolates cluster as a distinct group. All of the RNAs are predicted to contain open reading frames (ORFs) potentially encoding the coat protein (CP, ORF 2a) and 37.6 kDa (ORF 2b) ORFs. In addition, they all contain a region of similarity to the 3' terminus of RNA 1 of ORY, including a truncated portion of the 16 kDa cistron from the 3' end of RNA 1. Three of the isolates, which are nematode transmissible, OR2, BM, and Cot2, also contain a third putative ORF (ORF 2c) which encodes a protein of 33.6 kDa. The fourth isolate, Umt1, which is not nematode transmissible, is the most divergent of the isolates as it encodes a truncated version of ORF 2c. The ORF 2c deletion in Umt1 may contribute to its inability to be transmitted by the vector. The results reported in this article indicate again that the TRV genome is flexible. Interestingly, although both isolates Umt1 and Cot2 were mechanically transmitted to tobacco from potato, only Umt1 exhibits the deletion in RNA 2. TRV Isolate Umt1, therefore, appears to be another example of rapid adaptation of the TRV genome to non-field conditions.

Animals↗

CYP1A2 is expressed along with CYP1A1 in the human lung.

The expression and activity of CYP1A1 were examined in fresh, small-sized lung biopsy specimens from nine human subjects. CYP1A1 transcripts were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of total lung RNA. CYP1A2 transcripts were detected in the RNA samples as well, and bioactivation of 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) or 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), a CYP1A2-preferential activity, was catalyzed by the lung S(9) fractions also. Two major bands were detected in the whole homogenate by western blot analysis using CD3, a mouse anti rat CYP1A1 monoclonal that cross-reacts with rat CYP1A2 as well as with human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2. S(9) fractions from the tissues catalyzed the bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a CYP1A1-preferential activity, to mutagens in the Ames assay. Our findings are in agreement with the known presence of CYP1A1 in the human lung, and provide strong evidence for the expression of catalytically functional CYP1A2 in the tissue.

Animals↗

CYP1A2 is expressed along with CYP1A1 in the human lung.

The expression and activity of CYP1A1 were examined in fresh, small-sized lung biopsy specimens from nine human subjects. CYP1A1 transcripts were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of total lung RNA. CYP1A2 transcripts were detected in the RNA samples as well, and bioactivation of 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) or 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), a CYP1A2-preferential activity, was catalyzed by the lung S9 fractions also. Two major bands were detected in the whole homogenate by western blot analysis using CD3, a mouse anti rat CYP1A1 monoclonal that cross-reacts with rat CYP1A2 as well as with human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2. S9 fractions from the tissues catalyzed the bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a CYP1A1-preferential activity, to mutagens in the Ames assay. Our findings are in agreement with the known presence of CYP1A1 in the human lung, and provide strong evidence for the expression of catalytically functional CYP1A2 in the tissue.

Animals↗

Clotrimazole is a selective and potent inhibitor of rat cytochrome P450 3A subfamily-related testosterone metabolism.

In this study, clotrimazole (CTZ) and ketoconazole (KTZ) were evaluated for their inhibition of testosterone metabolism catalyzed by rat hepatic microsomes differentially expressing certain cytochrome P450 enzymes. The objective was to compare the inhibitory potencies using hepatic microsomes from adult female rats treated with dexamethasone (F-DEX) and hepatic microsomes from vehicle-treated adult male rats (M-VEH), which are known to contain high levels of isozymes CYP3A1 (3A23) and 3A2, respectively. The results demonstrate that CTZ is a very potent and selective inhibitor of the 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone, a CYP3A-mediated reaction, in all rat metabolic systems tested. The IC(50) value was 9.7 nM in F-DEX, and 6.7 nM in M-VEH for CTZ. The in vitro inhibitory potency for CTZ significantly exceeds the same parameters for KTZ, a well established specific inhibitor of human CYP3A-mediated reactions. It was found that the IC(50) values of KTZ in F-DEX and M-VEH were 69 and 780 nM, respectively. These values for KTZ are 10-fold and 100-fold higher, respectively, than for CTZ. CTZ, at the concentration that inhibits 90% and more of CYP3A-mediated reactions (40 nM), has less than a 10% inhibitory effect on the activities of other rat liver enzymes, such as CYP1A1, -1A2, -2A1, -2B1, -2B2, -2C11, and -2E1. In summary, CTZ is a more potent and selective inhibitor of all CYP3A-mediated reactions than KTZ in rat hepatic microsomes.

Animals↗

Epitope mapping of rat cytochrome P450 2B1 using glutathione S-transferase-2B1 fusion constructs.

We have previously produced 12 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against rat cytochrome P450(CYP)2B1, and 8 of these inhibit CYP2B1 catalytic activity to varying extents. Using competitive binding studies we showed that this collection of 12 MAbs recognize at least 6 spatially distinct epitopes. The complete coding sequence of CYP2B1 DNA in plasmid pSR-P450 was inserted into a glutathione S-transferase (GST) expression vector pGEX-1lambdaT so that it was in frame with the GST gene. Expression of GST-CYP2B1 was detected with most of the MAbs in Western blots except those which were conformation-specific. Fourteen different constructs were then made using PCR with oligonucleotide primers having EcoRI sites at their ends and were introduced into the GST expression vector at the EcoRI site. Each fusion construct was expressed in Escherichia coli, subjected to SDS-PAGE, blotted, and probed individually with each MAb. MAbs, which inhibited catalytic activity and were mutually competitive in binding to CYP2B1 (viz. BEA33, BE44, BE45, and BE28), recognized several fusion constructs and by deduction recognized amino acids 250-261 in CYP2B1. Other antibodies inhibiting catalytic activity recognized amino acids 262-272 (BEF29) and 306-491 (BE46, B50, and BE49) on CYP2B1. Non-inhibitory MAbs BE26 and BE32 were mapped to region 380-398 in CYP2B1. It was interesting to note that MAbs BEA33 and BE26, which also recognize spatially distinct epitopes on human CYP2E1 but not rat CYP2E1, had corresponding regions of high homology in human CYP2E1 but not rat CYP2E1. Identifying the epitopes recognized by this collection of MAbs will add to our understanding the sequences that may be important for producing inhibitory and specific antibodies to closely related antigens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a homeodomain binding element in the bone sialoprotein gene promoter that is required for its osteoblast-selective expression.

Bone sialoprotein is a 70-kDa extracellular matrix component that is intimately associated with biomineralization, yet the cis-acting elements of the Bsp gene that restrict its expression to mineralizing cells remain uncharacterized. To identify such elements, we analyzed a 2472-base pair fragment of the murine promoter that directs osteoblast-selective expression of a luciferase reporter gene and found that the region between -338 and -178 relative to the transcriptional start is crucial for its osteoblast-selective activity. We identified an element within this region that binds a protein complex in the nuclear extracts of osteoblastic cells and is required for its transcriptional activity. Introduction of a mutation that disrupts a homeodomain binding site within this sequence eliminates both its in vitro binding and nearly all of the osteoblastic-selective activity of the 2472-base pair promoter. We further found that the Dlx5 homeoprotein, which is able to regulate the osteoblast-specific osteocalcin promoter, can bind this element and stimulate its enhancer activity when overexpressed in COS7 cells. These data represent the first description of an osteoblast-specific element within the bone sialoprotein promoter and demonstrate its regulation by a member of a family of factors known to be involved in skeletogenesis.

Animals↗

Effect of gestational and lactational 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure on the level and catalytic activities of hepatic microsomal CYP1A in prepubertal and adult rats.

We determined the inducibility, as well as the persistence of the induction, of hepatic microsomal CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 (by western blot analysis), and their catalytic activities (as measured by resorufin ether O-dealkylation) in prepubertal (25-day-old) and adult (120-day-old) offspring of timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). TCDD treatment was subcutaneous, at a low dose of 0.1 microg/kg, on gestational days 7, 14, and 20, and on lactational days 7 and 14. CYP1A1 protein was induced significantly (23-fold) in prepubertal but not in adult offspring of TCDD-exposed dams, whereas ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, which is CYP1A1-preferential, was induced less extensively (5-fold) and slightly (1.7-fold) in the prepubertal and adult offspring, respectively. Benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD) activity, which is CYP2B-preferential but has been reported to be catalyzed by CYP1A1, was also induced 5- and 6-fold in prepubertal and adult offspring, respectively, of TCDD-exposed dams. However, the induced BROD activity was neither inhibited by antibody against CYP1A1 nor accompanied by an elevated level of microsomal CYP2B. CYP1A2 was induced slightly only in prepubertal offspring of TCDD-treated dams. There was suggestive evidence of enhanced lipid peroxidation in hepatic microsomes from prepubertal but not adult offspring of TCDD-treated dams. These data showed that in utero plus lactational TCDD exposure effected transient induction of hepatic microsomal CYP1A1 but sustained induction of BROD activity, which may be catalyzed by enzymes other than CYP1A or CYP2B.

Animals↗

Extreme resistance to Potato leafroll virus in potato cv. Russet Burbank mediated by the viral replicase gene.

High levels of field resistance to Potato leafroll virus (PLRV; Genus: Polerovirus; Family: Luteoviridae) were achieved by expression of the unmodified, full-length PLRV replicase gene in potato plants cv. Russet Burbank. A high degree of resistance was also achieved, but less frequently, by expression of a truncated construct of the replicase gene. In limited testing, neither miss-frame nor antisense constructs of the replicase gene conferred resistance. The degree of resistance expressed among different transformant lines ranged from near immunity to full susceptibility. Resistance to the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) was combined with resistance to PLRV by expression of the cry3A insect control protein gene from Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis in combination with the unmodified, full-length, viral replicase gene. Resistance was expressed as a reduced incidence of infection detectable by foliage symptoms or serological tests. Reduced incidence of infection was not associated with a decrease in virus antigen concentration in the few plants of resistant lines that became infected. Virus was not detected in the foliage of symptomless plants but was detected in progeny plants produced from the tubers of inoculated but symptomless test plants of some resistant lines. The resistance was effective under natural exposure and against plant-to-plant spread of PLRV by the aphid vector, Myzus persicae Sulzer. Three of the resistant lines selected in these studies were released and are now in commercial production.

Antiviral Agents↗

Low levels of expression of cytochromes P-450 in normal and cancerous fetal pancreatic tissues of hamsters treated with NNK and/or ethanol.

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that administration of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) to pregnant hamsters results in tumors in the offspring. Whereas treatment with NNK alone caused mainly tumors in the respiratory tract of the treated offspring, cotreatment with ethanol (EtOH) and NNK shifted the site of tumor formation to the pancreas. In order to determine potential mechanisms for the cocarcinogenic effects of EtOH, the levels of NNK metabolites and expression of various CYPs implicated in the metabolic activation of NNK were determined in fetal liver and pancreas. NNK and its metabolite, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), were detected at low and variable levels in the fetal liver and pancreas, with an NNAL to NNK ratio greater than 20 in both organs. EtOH had no effect on the amount of metabolites found in either organ. Results obtained with the fetal liver samples, which served as a positive control, correlated very well with our previous studies demonstrating low levels of expression of several CYP isozymes at both the protein and RNA level. Western blot analysis showed low but detectable levels of CYP1A1, barely detectable levels of CYP2E1, and an absence of CYP1A2 and 2B family members in the fetal pancreas. RNA transcripts were undetectable by ribonuclease protection in the fetal pancreas, although readily seen in fetal liver samples. Treatment with NNK, EtOH, or both NNK and EtOH had small and variable effects on the levels of metabolism of NNK and expression of the isozymes. These findings suggest that alternative mechanisms may be responsible for transplacentally induced tumors in this model system.

Animals↗

Factors related to noncompliance with screening mammogram appointments among low-income African-American women.

Despite current mammography recommendations, screening rates among African-American women are suboptimal. The purpose of this case-control study was to identify the psychological, demographic, and health care system barriers to screening mammography use among low-income African-American women. A total of 574 women with screening mammogram appointments at an urban hospital were interviewed to determine the predictors of mammogram appointment noncompliance. Predictor variables included: demographics; breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and screening practices; and type of health care provider making the referral. Age was inversely related to mammogram appointment noncompliance. Relative to women 40 to 49 years old, women 70 years of age and older were the least likely to miss their appointments (odds ratio [OR], 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2, 0.5). Women referred for mammography by a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner were less likely to miss their appointments than women referred by a physician (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1, 0.8). Embarrassment, lack of breast symptoms, and forgetfulness also contributed to noncompliance. Key demographic, attitudinal, and health care system factors hinder low-income African-American women from obtaining screening mammograms. These findings have significant health education and policy implications for health care delivery to women in this population.

Adult↗

Coordinate up-regulation of CYP1A1 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and modulation of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase and tryptophan pyrrolase activities in pyridine-treated rats.

To determine the changes in heme metabolism associated with induction of cytochrome P450 expression by pyridine, we compared the time course of CYP1A expression with the time course of (i) expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (EC 1.14.99.3), (ii) activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS) (EC 2.3.1.37), and (iii) heme saturation of tryptophan pyrrolase (TPO) (EC 1.13.11.11) in tissues of rats administered a single 100 or 150 mg/kg i.p. dose of pyridine. Both mRNA and protein of HO-1 and CYP1A1 were induced in the liver, kidney, and lung, with the induction of HO-1 mRNA preceding and paralleling that of CYP1A1 mRNA in the liver and lung but not kidney. Induction of CYP1A1 mRNA expression peaked within 9-12 hr and returned to control levels by 24 hr in all tissues examined, whereas induction of HO-1 mRNA expression was sustained for 48 hr in the lung and liver. In contrast to the transient up-regulation of CYP1A1 mRNA, increased microsomal CYP1A1 protein was sustained in all three tissues. Similar to the induction of HO-1 expression, lipid peroxidation was stimulated by pyridine treatment in the kidney, lung, and liver, but with the stimulation being more persistent in the liver and lung than in the kidney. Increased hepatic CYP1A1 or CYP1A2 activity was preceded by increased activities of HO-1 and ALAS. Pyridine treatment negatively modulated heme saturation of hepatic TPO. The findings indicate that pyridine stimulates the synthesis, utilization, and degradation of heme in a coordinate manner, and suggest that these alterations in heme metabolism may contribute to CYP1A1 induction by pyridine.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗

Cytochrome P450 1A1 in rat peripheral blood lymphocytes: inducibility in vivo and bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene in the Salmonella typhimurium mutagenicity assay in vitro.

The presence and inducibility of CYP1A1 in freshly isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined in untreated rats and in rats pretreated with agents known to induce the enzyme in other tissues, as well as dexamethasone [CAS #50-02-2], which is not commonly associated with CYP1A1 induction. CYP1A1 but not CYP1A2 was detected by Western blot analysis of lymphocytes from untreated rats and was induced in lymphocytes from rats treated with the known CYP1A inducers beta-naphthoflavone [CAS #6051-87-2] or 3-methylcholanthrene [CAS #56-49-5] (7.3-fold), cigarette smoke (2. 8-fold), and pyridine [CAS #108-86-1] (2.6-fold). CYP1A1 was also induced in lymphocytes from rats treated with the nonprototypic inducer dexamethasone (17.7-fold) or bromobenzene [CAS #108-86-1] (3. 9-fold). Lymphocyte homogenate from rats treated with the inducers also catalyzed NADPH-dependent bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene [CAS #50-32-8] to mutagens. The benzo(a)pyrene mutagenicity was detected using Salmonella typhimurium TA100 in the Ames test, and correlated positively with lymphocyte CYP1A1 content. The data show that CYP1A1 is present in rat peripheral blood lymphocytes in vivo, and is inducible by prototypic, as well as nonprototypic, inducers of the enzyme.

Animals↗

Cloning of a 2.5 kb murine bone sialoprotein promoter fragment and functional analysis of putative Osf2 binding sites.

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is an extracellular matrix protein that is intimately associated with the process of biomineralization. Osf2, a member of the Cbf/runt family of transcription factors, is required for the development of osteoblasts in vivo and has been reported to stimulate the transcription of BSP when overexpressed in mesenchymal cell lines. To investigate the role of Osf2 in BSP expression, we cloned a 2.5 kb fragment of a 5' untranscribed sequence from the murine BSP gene and evaluated it for putative Osf2 binding sites. This promoter, which was able to direct 5- to 10-fold higher levels of luciferase reporter expression in osteoblastic cells than in nonbone cell lines, contains two consensus core binding sites for members of the Cbf/runt family. One, at -61 relative to the start of transcription, is within a region having 75% overall sequence identity with the rat and human BSP promoters. The other is located at -1335, outside this highly conserved region. Neither site is completely conserved in the rat or human sequences. Only the -1335 site was able to bind a protein in nuclear extracts of osteoblastic cells, and this protein was identified as Osf2. Despite this in vitro binding ability, we detected no significant enhancer activity in the -1335 element when placed in front of a minimal osteocalcin promoter driving a luciferase reporter gene in osteoblastic cells nor any loss in transcriptional activity of a 5' promoter deletion which eliminated this element as compared with the full-length 2.5 kb promoter. These results suggest that Osf2 binding to the BSP promoter is not essential for its osteoblast-selective expression.

3T3 Cells↗

Field testing for virus resistance and agronomic performance in transgenic plants.

Resistance to specific virus diseases may be added as heritable characteristics to susceptible drop cultivars by transformation of the cultivars with specific virus-derived genes. In practice, however, resistance to the virus varies among transformed plants and transformation often changes cultivar yield and quality characteristics that are agronomically important. Therefore, rigorous selection among hundreds of different transformed plant lines is required to identify lines that are both virus resistant and also conform to or exceed standard characteristics of the original, susceptible cultivar. This paper describes methods we have developed for rapid selection of virus resistance, yield, and quality characteristics among transformed populations of plants.

Crops, Agricultural↗

Effect of calcium channel antagonists nifedipine and nicardipine on rat cytochrome P-450 2B and 3A forms.

Calcium channel antagonists are widely prescribed for treatment of hypertension. In this study, we examined whether treatment with the calcium channel antagonists, nicardipine, nifedipine or diltiazem, alters cytochrome P-450 2B or 3A (CYP2B or CYP3A, respectively) expression in rat liver. Western blot analyses were undertaken using antibodies specific for one or several members of these cytochrome P-450 subfamilies. Nicardipine was found to be an effective inducer of CYP3A; in particular, CYP3A23 was increased approximately 36-fold following treatment with 100 mg of nicardipine/kg/day. Nicardipine induced CYP2B forms up to approximately 3.1-fold. Nifedipine did not alter CYP3A expression but did increase CYP2B expression such that total CYP2B, CYP2B1, and CYP2B2v (a splice variant of CYP2B2) were increased approximately 5- to 15-fold after treatment with 100 mg of nifedipine/kg/day, with increases in benzyloxyresorufin O-dealkylase and erythromycin N-demethylase activities, respectively. The distinct differences in cytochrome P-450 induction profile induced by nicardipine and nifedipine suggest that they may enhance cytochrome P-450 expression by different mechanisms unrelated to their effects on calcium channels.

Animals↗

Dose-dependent up-regulation of rat pulmonary, renal, and hepatic cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 1A expression by nicotine feeding.

In a previous study in which a single 2.5 mg/kg (15.4 micromol/kg) s. c. dose of nicotine effected a transient, lung-specific induction of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 1A1 in the rat, a dose-response study and assessment of the lung specificity of the induction was limited by toxicity of the acute parenteral nicotine exposure. In the present study, we examined the dose-CYP1A1/2 induction response relationship and the tissue specificity of the induction by orally administered nicotine, which lacks the toxicity of the parenterally administered drug. Nicotine, administered in a nutritionally balanced liquid diet, at a level of 20 (low), 60 (medium), or 200 (high) mg/kg of diet, induced CYP1A1 in the lung and kidney in a dose-dependent manner and in the liver at the high nicotine dose only, whereas CYP1A2 was induced in the liver dose-dependently and in the kidney at the high nicotine dose only. The high nicotine dose up-regulated mRNA level in the three tissues examined, but with the lung being the most responsive to the up-regulation. Induction of the CYP1A1-preferential activity ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase by the low, medium, and high nicotine diets was 1.9-, 4.9-, and 21.6-fold, respectively, in the lung, 1.4-, 1.7-, and 15.9-fold, respectively, in the kidney, and 1.7-, 2.9-, and 5.1-fold, respectively, in the liver. Similarly, albeit to lower extents, the dietary alkaloid induced the CYP1A2-preferential activity methoxyresorufin O-demethylase in all three tissues dose-dependently. Plasma nicotine concentration correlated neither with the dietary nor intake dose of the alkaloid nor with tissue levels of CYP1A, especially with the high-dose diet. Plasma nicotine levels at which CYP1A induction was maximal were comparable to those reported in smokers, suggesting that nicotine may induce CYP1A1 in humans.

Animals↗