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Denitrosation of the anti-cancer drug 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea catalyzed by microsomal glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases.

The alkylating agent BCNU [1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea] can be inactivated through denitrosation reactions catalyzed by both cytosolic and microsomal enzymes. While previous studies have identified a class mu glutathione S-transferase [rat transferase 4-4 (Yb2)] as a major catalyst of the cytosolic denitrosation reaction, the enzymatic catalysts of BCNU denitrosation in microsomal membranes have not been identified. In the present study, both NADPH and glutathione (GSH) were found to support BCNU denitrosation catalyzed by isolated rat liver microsomes. Treatment of rats with the microsomal enzyme inducers phenobarbital and dexamethasone increased NADPH-dependent liver microsomal BCNU denitrosation up to fivefold without major effect on the GSH-dependent denitrosation activity. Although the NADPH-dependent activity was fully inhibited by antibody to NADPH-P450 reductase, purified NADPH-P450 reductase catalyzed BCNU denitrosation at rates that could only account for approximately 2-3% of the microsomal activity. Other experiments, including selective inhibition of NADPH-dependent microsomal BCNU denitrosation by chemical and antibody inhibitors of cytochrome P450, competitive inhibition of P450-catalyzed cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide activation by BCNU, and reconstitution of the denitrosation reaction by purified P450 enzyme 2B1 (major phenobarbital-inducible P450 form), established an important role for cytochrome P450 in BCNU denitrosation. By contrast, GSH-dependent microsomal BCNU denitrosation was unaffected by cytochrome P450 inhibitors, but was inhibited, with varying degrees of selectivity, by the microsomal glutathione S-transferase inhibitors ethacrynic acid, bromosulfophthalein, and indomethacin. These studies establish that BCNU inactivation can be catalyzed by two independent microsomal enzyme systems and suggest that therapeutically useful improvements in BCNU antitumor activity might be achieved through differential inhibition of these enzyme systems in tumor as compared to extratumoral sites.

Animals↗

Ferritin stimulation of lipid peroxidation by microsomes after chronic ethanol treatment: role of cytochrome P4502E1.

Ferritin is the major storage form of iron within cells, and iron released from ferritin has been shown to stimulate lipid peroxidation. Microsomes from rats chronically fed ethanol are more active in generating reactive oxygen intermediates than control microsomes. Since superoxide is one of the reductants capable of releasing iron from ferritin, and superoxide generation by microsomes is increased after chronic ethanol treatment, the ability of ferritin to stimulate lipid peroxidation of microsomes isolated from control rats and rats treated chronically with ethanol was evaluated. Ferritin was much more effective in stimulating lipid peroxidation of microsomes after ethanol treatment; net increases in thiobarbituric acid-reactive components by ferritin were 4-fold greater in the presence of NADPH with microsomes from the ethanol-treated rats compared to pair-fed controls and 10-fold greater with NADH as the microsomal reductant. Net increases in chemiluminescence by ferritin were about 10-fold greater with microsomes from the ethanol-treated rats. The NADPH- and NADH-dependent increases in lipid peroxidation produced by ferritin were prevented by superoxide dismutase, which lowered the rates found in the presence of ferritin to values found in the absence of ferritin. Catalase and hydroxyl radical scavengers had no effect on the stimulation by ferritin. Nonheme iron chelators prevented the ferritin stimulation as did glutathione, propylgallate, and trolox. Basal rates of lipid peroxidation were inhibited by anti-CYP2E1 IgG; the stimulation by ferritin was decreased by anti-CYP2E1 IgG. These results show that microsomes from ethanol-fed rats are more reactive than control microsomes in interacting with ferritin to produce oxidants capable of catalyzing lipid peroxidation. The inhibition of the ferritin-catalyzed lipid peroxidation by superoxide dismutase and anti-CYP2E1 IgG is consistent with a role for CYP2E1-generated superoxide radical in mobilizing iron from ferritin and in the subsequent catalysis of lipid peroxidation. Since ferritin is the major cellular storage form of iron, increased mobilization of iron from ferritin by CYP2E1-derived superoxide radical may play a role in the development of oxidative stress after ethanol treatment.

Alcoholism↗

Formation of reactive 1-nitropyrene metabolites by lung microsomes and isolated lung cells.

The metabolism and activation of 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) to reactive intermediates by lung microsomes and isolated lung cells was studied. Mutagenicity of 1-NP metabolites was assayed in Salmonella typhimurium TA98NR, a strain lacking a major component of nitroreductase activity. In the presence of NADPH, microsomes from rabbit, rat and hamster lung metabolized 1-NP to mutagenic products to a similar degree. Pretreatment with a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) decreased the formation of mutagenic metabolites by rabbit lung microsomes, but did not affect the production of mutagens by rat or hamster lung microsomes. 3H-1-NP was metabolized to covalently bound protein products at a rate of 82 and 10 pmol/mg by rabbit and hamster lung microsomes, respectively, whereas no binding was detected in rat lung microsomes. PCB-pretreatment increased covalent protein binding of 3H-1-NP in lung microsomes from hamster and rat, but decreased the binding in rabbit lung microsomes. High performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated that 3H-1-NP was readily converted to ring-hydroxylated products by rabbit and hamster lung microsomes; the rate was much lower with rat lung microsomes. 3H-1-NP was activated to metabolites that covalently bound to protein in isolated rabbit lung cells, with the following rates being observed: Clara cells greater than lung digest greater than type II cells. In contrast, covalent protein binding in cells isolated from rat lung was very low. 1-NP was not activated to products mutagenic for S. typhimurium TA 98NR when co-incubated with cells isolated either from rabbit or rat lung.

Animals↗

Effects of temperature and inorganic ions on calcium accumulation in microsomes from intestinal smooth muscle.

Energy dependent calcium binding in microsomal vesicles from the longitudinal smooth muscle of the guinea pig intestine was investigated at two different temperatures (30 degrees C and 10 degrees C) and in the absence and presence of CdCl2, BaCl2 and MnCl2. The investigation was carried out to determine whether the effects of temperature and the effects of the divalent ions on microsomal calcium binding could be correlated with the effects of these interventions on the mechanical activity of the intact longitudinal fibers. A reduction in temperature from 30 degrees C to 10 degrees C inhibited both the uptake of calcium into the microsomes and the rate of release of calcium ions from the microsomes to the external medium. This exchange in temperature also slowed the rate of relaxation of the intact longitudinal muscle after it had been induced to contract with acetylcholine and subsequently allowed to relax by removing calcium ions from the bathing medium and adding 1 X 10(-3) M EGTA. The presence of CdCl2, like the reduction in temperature, decreased the uptake of calcium into the microsomal vesicles. However, the release of calcium from the microsomes was accelerated. BaCl2, produced the same effects as did CdCl2 on the uptake of calcium into microsomes but to a lesser extent. It had very little effect on the release of calcium ions from the microsomes. MnCl2 had no significant effects on either the uptake or release of calcium ions in the microsomal preparation. Both CdCl2 and MnCl2 exerted an inhibitory action on acetylcholine-induced contractile responses of the intact longitudinal fibers; whereas BaCl2 served to initiate a contractile response in the smooth muscle fibers. Thus, it would appear that the effects of a temperature change on microsomal calcium binding and on mechanical activity in intact fibers can be correlated; but the effects of CdCl2, BaCl2 and MnCl2 on these two cellular processes do not follow any consistent pattern.

Animals↗

Superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation and vitamin E content of microsomes from hepatomas with different growth rates.

Lipid peroxidation of microsomal membranes isolated from rat liver, and Morris hepatomas 9618A (slow-growing) and 3924A (fast-growing) was induced by superoxide radicals generated by the action of xanthine oxidase on xanthine. The peroxidation, measured as malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide formation, was optimized with regard to iron concentration and chelation of iron by ADP. In such conditions hepatoma microsomes catalyze lower rates of lipid peroxidation than the normal counterpart. However, while microsomes from hepatoma 3924A show a marked decrease in both the malondialdehyde and hydroperoxide production rates, microsomes from hepatoma 9618A differ moderately from the control, mainly in the long-term production of hydroperoxides. It is also reported here that the 9618A microsomes partially lack cytochrome P-450 (about 40% deficiency), but they have a fatty acid composition similar to that of control. No differences were found in the content of vitamin E between normal and hepatoma 3924A microsomes. Moreover, induction of vitamin E deficiency in hepatoma 3924A microsomes does not influence the rate of either malondialdehyde or lipid hydroperoxide production. On the basis of these results and previous data on the lipid composition of hepatoma 3924A microsomes it is proposed that the high resistance to superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation of hepatoma 3924A microsomes is related to the low substrate availability rather than the content of membrane antioxidants; and a limitation only in the propagation phase characterizes the hepatoma 9618A microsomal lipid peroxidation and would be due to the partial deficiency of the endogenous propagating agent, cytochrome P-450.

Animals↗

Selective potent restriction of P450b- but not P450e-dependent 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene metabolism by the microsomal environment.

The prototypic members of the rat liver cytochrome P450IIB subfamily, P450b and P450e, differ by only 13 amino acids and yet purified P450b is considerably more active than P450e for all known substrates. A unique regioselectivity difference between cytochromes P450b and P450e for the metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and a genetic deficiency in P450e expression in the Marshall (M520/N) rat strain have been exploited to determine the microsomal contributions of the respective forms toward the metabolism of DMBA. The total contribution to metabolism by each isozyme has been assessed based on the sensitivity to rabbit anti-P450b/e IgG and comparison with microsomal P450b and P450e content as measured by Western blots. Liver microsomes from untreated M520/N rats do not express detectable levels of P450e but express P450b at a level that is 2-fold higher than that of P450e in liver microsomes from untreated F344 rats (50 pmol/mg). However, only 4% of the constitutive DMBA metabolizing activity of liver microsomes from the M520/N rat strain could be inhibited by anti-P450b/e IgG. A 30-fold induction of hepatic P450b by phenobarbital (PB) was also completely ineffective in increasing P450b-dependent DMBA metabolism. PB treatment had no appreciable effect on either the levels of expression of P450b protein or P450b-dependent DMBA metabolism, in M520/N lung and adrenal microsomes. In contrast, PB treatment of F344 rats considerably increased P450b/e-dependent metabolism by liver, lung, and adrenal microsomes. The regioselectivity of the anti-P450b/e-sensitive metabolism (predominantly 12-methyl hydroxylation), however, indicated a much greater contribution from P450e than P450b in every tissue examined despite a several fold higher expression of P450b than of P450e. P450b was expressed constitutively in lung microsomes from both strains but again failed to exhibit appreciable DMBA metabolizing activity. Based on these activities and microsomal P450b contents, P450b consistently exhibited turnover numbers (0.02-0.15 nmol/nmol P450b/min) that were at least 10-fold lower than those of pure P450b. In contrast, the calculated turnover numbers for microsomal P450e were consistently comparable to those of pure P450e (approximately 1 nmol/nmol P450e/min).

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Topographical localization and characterization of microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase binding sites accessible to 4,4'-diazidostilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid.

The effect of the photoactivated reagent 4,4'-diazidostilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid (DASS) on rat liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase has been investigated in order to analyze the accessibility and the chemical nature of functional sites of the integral enzyme protein. The following results were obtained. (i) When native rat liver microsomes are irradiated with the photoactive reagent, the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase is progressively inhibited. However, complete reactivation is obtained by modification of the DASS-labeled microsomes with Triton X-114. (ii) Inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase is also reversed when the DASS-labeled microsomes are treated with p-mercuribenzoate or dithiothreitol. (iii) When native microsomes are labeled with DASS an intensely fluorescent adduct is formed whose emission and excitation maximum corresponds with those obtained when cysteine or 3-mercaptopropionic acid are irradiated in the presence of the photolabile reagent. (iv) The data from fluorescence measurements show that p-mercuribenzoate and dithiothreitol reduce fluorescence labeling of the microsomes whereas Triton modification of the DASS-labeled membranes does not affect the DASS-induced fluorescence. (v) Glucose 6-phosphate hydrolysis of the partially purified glucose-6-phosphatase is also inhibited as observed with native microsomes. The DASS-induced inhibition is reversed and prevented by p-mercuribenzoate; however, the partially purified enzyme cannot be reactivated by Triton X-114. (vi) When glucose-6-phosphatase is partially purified from the DASS-labeled microsomes this enzyme preparation is fluorescence labeled and inhibited. From these results we conclude that DASS directly reacts with the integral phosphohydrolase mainly by chemical modification of essential sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme protein accessible from the cytoplasmic surface of the native microsomal membrane. The Triton-induced reactivation of the glucose-6-phosphatase of DASS-labeled microsomes is explained in terms of conformational changes of the integral protein elicited during modification of the surrounding membrane by detergent.

Animals↗

Species differences in 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol hydroxylation by rat, monkey, and human prostate microsomes.

The 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by rat prostate microsomes appears to be catalyzed by a single, high-affinity cytochrome P450 enzyme. In the present study we have examined the hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by prostate microsomes from cynomolgus monkeys and from normal subjects and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Our results suggest that although rat, monkey, and human prostate microsomes catalyze the 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol, these pathways of oxidation in monkeys and humans are not catalyzed by a single cytochrome P450 enzyme. The ratio of the three metabolites was not uniform among prostate microsomal samples from individual humans or monkeys. The 6 alpha-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol varied independently of both the 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation, which varied in unison. The 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by monkey prostate microsomes appeared to be differentially affected by in vivo treatment of monkeys with beta-naphthoflavone or dexamethasone. Treatment of a monkey with dexamethasone appeared to cause a 2.5-fold increase in both the 7 alpha- and the 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol without increasing the 6 alpha-hydroxylation. The 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by human and monkey prostate microsomes, but not the 6 alpha-hydroxylation, was inhibited by antibody against rat liver NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. Similarly, the 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by human prostate microsomes, but not the 6 alpha-hydroxylation, was markedly inhibited (greater than 85%) by equimolar concentrations of the imidazole-containing antimycotic drugs ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and miconazole. These results suggest that the 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by monkey and human prostate microsomes is catalyzed by a cytochrome P450 enzyme, whereas the 6 alpha-hydroxylation is catalyzed by a different enzyme which may or may not be a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. The hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by prostate microsomes from normal human subjects was quantitatively and qualitatively similar to its hydroxylation by prostate microsomes from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Androstane-3,17-diol↗

Energy-dependent calcium uptake activity of microsomes from the aorta of normal and hypertensive rats.

Energy-dependent calcium uptake activity of microsomes isolated from the rat aorta has been characterized. The microsomes consist of smooth membrane vesicles which in the presence of MG-ATP as an energy source continuously sequester calcium over a 60-min period. This calcium uptake is greatly stimulated by oxalate anion which serves as a calcium trapping agent. Unlike the calcium uptake of mitochondria this uptake is not inhibited by sodium azide. Sucrose density gradient analysis of the microsomal calcium uptake suggests that the system is associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In presence of 5 mM Mg-ATP and 20 muM calcium approximately 38 nmol of calcium per mg of microsomal protein are taken up in 20 min. In the absence of ATP, less than 2 nmol of calcium per mg of protein are taken up in the first 2 min with no further uptake of calcium in subsequent time periods. When calcium uptake activity is plotted against calcium or ATP concentration of the medium, half maximal activity is calculated for 24.3 muM calcium and for 1.6 mM ATP. The calcium uptake characteristics of the rat aorta microsomes are compatible with a postulated role in the relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle and the provision of an intracellular calcium store for muscle contraction. Aorta microsomes from SHR rats (a genetic strain that is spontaneously hypertensive) have a significantly reduced uptake when compared with the corresponding nonhypertensive control strain. The level of calcium and ATP for half maximal activity of the rat aorta microsomal calcium uptake system is approximately the same in the SHR and the control strain. The rate of release of calcium from rat aorta microsomes is apparently identical in SHR strain and control. The calcium uptake activity of kidney and liver microsomes isolated from the SHR strain and control. The calcium uptake activity of kidney and liver microsomes isolated from the SHR rat appears to be identical to that found in the control strain.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Distribution of protein-bound sugar residues in microsomal subfractions and Golgi membranes.

Liver microsomal subfractions and Golgi membranes free from adsorbed and secretory proteins have a characteristic sugar composition. The ratio of mannose to galactose is largest in rough microsomes, smaller in smooth I microsomes, still smaller in smooth II microsomes, and smallest in Golgi membranes. There is about twice as much glucosamine in Golgi membranes and 3 times as much in smooth II microsomes as in the other microsomal subfractions. Golgi membranes are rich in sialic acid in comparison to rough microsomes and it is present at even higher levels in the two smooth microsomal subfractions. Increasing concentrations of deoxycholate preferentially remove protein-bound mannose and glucosamine, while releasing significantly less galactose. About half of the microsomal mannose and galactose can be liberated from the surface of intact microsomal vesicles by treatment with trypsin. When trypsin is added to permeable vesicles where the inside surface can be also attacked, an additional 20% of the total mannose but no additional galactose is liberated.

Animals↗

Phosphatidylcholine mobility in liver microsomal membranes.

Purified phosphatidylcholine exchange protein from bovine liver was used to exchange rat liver microsomal phosphatidylcholine for egg phosphatidylcholine. It was found that at 25 and 37 degrees C rat liver microsomal phosphatidylcholine was completely and rapidly available for replacement by egg phosphatidylcholine. In contrast, phosphatidylcholine in vesicles prepared from total microsomal lipids could only be exchanged for about 60%. At 8 and 0 degrees C complex exchange kinetics were observed for phosphatidylcholine in rat liver microsomes. The exchange process had neither effect on the permeability of the microsomal membrane to mannose 6-phosphate, nor on the permeability of the phosphatidylcholine vesicles to neodymium (III) cations. Purified phospholipase A2 from Naja naja could hydrolyze some 55-60% of microsomal phosphatidylcholine at 0 degrees C, but 70-80% at 37 degrees C. Microsomal phosphatidylcholine, remaining after phospholipase treatment at 37 degrees C, could be exchanged for egg phosphatidylcholine at 37 degrees C, but at a slower rate than with intact microsomes. Microsomal phosphatidylcholine remaining after phospholipase treatment at 0 and 37 degrees C had a lower content of arachidonic acid than the original phosphatidylcholine. These results are discussed with respect to the localization and transmembrane movement of phosphatidylcholine in liver microsomes.

Animals↗

Relation between hepatic microsomal metabolism of N-nitrosamines and cytochrome P-450 species.

Effects of SKF 525A (0.1 mM), metyrapone (0.1 mM), alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) (0.5 mM) and pyrazole (1.0 mM) on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosomethylbutylamine (NMBuA) and N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBeA) metabolism by hepatic microsomes from rats pretreated with inducers were investigated. NDMA demethylation was weakly increased by phenobarbital (PB) treatment. The demethylation was inhibited by SKF 525A and enhanced by metyrapone in non-treated and PB-treated microsomes, and weakly inhibited by ANF in 3-methylcholanthrene(MC)-treated microsomes. NMBuA demethylation was increased by PB treatment and inhibited by SKF 525A in all microsomes. Metyrapone inhibited the demethylation in PB-treated microsomes. NMBuA debutylation was increased by PB and MC treatments, and inhibited by metyrapone in all microsomes. The strongest inhibition by metyrapone was observed in PB-treated microsomes. The debutylation was inhibited by SKF 525A in non-treated and PB-treated microsomes and by ANF in MC-treated microsomes. NMBeA demethylation was decreased by MC treatment and weakly inhibited by SKF 525A in all microsomes. The effects of the inducers and inhibitors on NMBeA debenzylation were almost the same as those on NMBuA debutylation except that the increasing effect of MC was small. Pyrazole was a relatively selective inhibitor of NDMA demethylation. These results suggest the following: NDMA demethylation is catalyzed by PB-induced cytochrome P-450 species (P450-PB) and MC-induced cytochrome P-450 species (P448-MC). But their specific activity is low and the other cytochrome P-450 species demethylate NDMA. NMBuA demethylation is catalyzed by P450-PB. But the specific activity is not high and the other cytochrome P-450 species also demethylate NMBuA. NMBuA debutylation is catalyzed by P450-PB and P448-MC. Almost all of NMBeA demethylation is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 species other than P450-PB and P448-MC. NMBeA debenzylation is catalyzed by P450-PB and P448-MC, but the specific activity of P448-MC is not high.

Animals↗

Selective inhibition and selective induction of multiple microsomal epoxide hydrolases.

The inhibition in vitro and induction in vivo of microsomal trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase have been studied. This microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity is distinguishable from the previously well-defined microsomal arene oxide hydrolase by a number of catalytic criteria. Two substituted chalcone oxides, 4-phenylchalcone oxide and 4'-phenylchalcone oxide, are potent inhibitors of microsomal trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase, but have no apparent activity against benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide hydrolase. Conversely, compounds that are potent inhibitors of benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide hydrolase, including styrene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, and trichloropropene oxide, inhibit microsomal trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase only at very high (millimolar) concentrations. The chalcone oxides inhibit microsomal trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase noncompetitively, and have micromolar or nanomolar affinity constants for the enzyme. Attempts were made to induce microsomal trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase in vivo. Compounds that induced microsomal benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide hydrolase levels in mice did not simultaneously induce trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase levels. Clofibrate was an exception; it induced levels of both enzymes to a small but statistically significant degree. The two microsomal hydrolase activities have, therefore, very different catalytic sites and appear to be under separate genetic control. 4-Phenylchalcone oxide and 4'-phenylchalcone oxide are selective inhibitors of microsomal trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase and may prove to be very useful in assessing the involvement of this enzyme in the metabolism of endogenous or xenobiotic epoxides.

Animals↗

Increased sensitivity of the microsomal oxidation of ethanol to inhibition by pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole after chronic ethanol treatment.

Pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole, inhibitors of the oxidation of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase, also inhibit microsomal metabolism of ethanol. The inhibitory effectiveness of these agents was increased in microsomes isolated from rats treated chronically with ethanol as compared to microsomes from pair-fed controls or from rats treated with other cytochrome P-450 inducers such as phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. Pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole produced type II binding spectra with all the microsomal preparations. However, there was an increased affinity (lower Ks value) for these agents by the microsomes from the ethanol-fed rats. A correlation between Ks values and inhibitory effectiveness against ethanol oxidation by the various microsomal preparations could be observed. This suggests that an increase in affinity, which may reflect the induction of an alcohol-preferring isozyme of cytochrome P-450, is responsible for the increased inhibitory effectiveness of pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole towards ethanol oxidation by microsomes after chronic ethanol treatment. One difference between pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole was the increased affinity and inhibitory effectiveness of the latter but not the former with microsomes from rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene. This could be due to the ability of 4-methylpyrazole, compared to pyrazole, to interact with and induce several isozymes of cytochrome P-450. Pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole are often utilized to evaluate ethanol metabolism by alcohol-dehydrogenase-dependent and -independent pathways. However, the sensitivity of microsomal ethanol oxidation to inhibition by these agents, especially after chronic ethanol treatment, would suggest that their use in this regard is complex and could tend to underestimate the contribution of the microsomal pathway towards the metabolic tolerance found after ethanol treatment.

Animals↗

In vivo and in vitro effects of helenalin on mouse hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450.

Helenalin, a natural plant product with significant antitumor activities, decreased male BDF1 mouse hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 contents in vivo and in vitro. A single i.p. dose of 25 mg helenalin/kg body weight significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased microsomal cytochrome P450 contents and inhibited cytochrome P450-dependent mixed-function oxidase activities within 1-2 hr post-exposure. Helenalin (1.0 mM) decreased microsomal cytochrome P450 contents in vitro by 11% in the absence of NADPH and by 32% in the presence of NADPH. These in vitro and in vivo decreases in cytochrome P450 were accompanied by comparable decreases in total microsomal heme contents. Helenalin (1.0 mM) increased mouse hepatic microsomal oxygen consumption and NADPH utilization by 3.2 and 5.4 nmol/min/mg protein respectively. Helenalin (1.0 mM) significantly (P less than 0.05) increased microsomal lipid peroxidation in vitro, and this helenalin-induced increase in lipid peroxidation was inhibited completely by the addition of 0.05 mM EDTA. However, microsomal cytochrome P450 contents were equally affected by helenalin in the presence or absence of EDTA, suggesting that lipid peroxidation did not contribute to the helenalin-induced decrease in cytochrome P450. The addition of 0.05 mM hemin to microsomes treated in vitro with 1.0 mM helenalin resulted in a 58% recovery of cytochrome P450 contents. This ability of hemin to reconstitute cytochrome P450 in helenalin-treated microsomes suggests that helenalin produced a selective loss of heme from the cytochrome P450 holoprotein, and that the resulting cytochrome P450 apoprotein remained intact after helenalin treatment. The increased loss of microsomal cytochrome P450 produced by helenalin in the presence of NADPH suggests that a helenalin metabolite may be responsible for heme loss and the in vitro destruction of cytochrome P450.

Animals↗

The effect of enzyme induction on the cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation of carbamazepine by mouse liver microsomes.

Predisposition to idiosyncratic toxicity with carbamazepine is thought to be due to a deficiency of the detoxication enzyme, microsomal epoxide hydrolase, although in some cases, concurrent administration of enzyme inducers might be a contributory risk factor, by altering the critical balance between bioactivation and detoxication. In this study, a mouse model has been used to determine the factors affecting carbamazepine bioactivation, using covalent binding and cytotoxicity as markers of bioactivation in vitro. Microsomes prepared from mice pre-treated with phenobarbitone increased (relative to the control microsomes) the formation of cytotoxic (12.3% vs 3.2%), protein-reactive (3.0% vs 2.0%) and stable (33.8% vs 18.1%) metabolites of carbamazepine. Similarly, pre-treatment with dexamethasone also increased the formation of the cytotoxic (24.8% vs 6.7%), protein-reactive (2.8% vs 1.5%) and stable (38% vs 19.8%) metabolites of carbamazepine, while beta-naphthoflavone pretreatment did not increase the formation of either the toxic or stable metabolites of carbamazepine when compared with its control microsomes. Co-incubation with gestodene (10-250 microM) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of both the bioactivation of carbamazepine and the formation of its stable 10,11-epoxide. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting of the microsomes with anti-CYP3A antibody revealed the presence of a 52 kDa protein band in each preparation of microsomes, but the relative intensities of the bands, as measured by laser densitometry, were highest with the phenobarbitone and dexamethasone microsomes. The microsomal oxidation of cortisol to 6 beta-hydroxycortisol was also enhanced by pretreatment of mice with phenobarbitone (6.5% vs 2.7%) and dexamethasone (8.2% vs 4.3%), but not beta-naphthoflavone (2.2% vs 1.6%), when compared with their respective control microsomes, and was inhibited (range 25-68% inhibition), with all the microsomes by gestodene (50 microM). Taken collectively, the data in this study demonstrate that in the mouse, induction of the CYP3A subfamily significantly increases carbamazepine bioactivation. It is likely that in humans inducers of the orthologous form of this enzyme, most notably anticonvulsants, may increase the bioactivation of carbamazepine.

Animals↗

Increase in liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity by phenobarbital treatment of rats. Possible involvement of oxidative activation via cytochrome P450.

The possible involvement of oxidative activation of liver microsomal glutathione (GSH) S-transferase by the cytochrome P450 system was investigated. When rats were given phenobarbital (PB) intraperitoneally for 3 days, liver microsomal GSH S-transferase activity was stimulated 1.3-1.4-fold and the effect of PB on the transferase was potentiated by combination with a catalase inhibitor, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. Immunoblotting of microsomal proteins from PB-treated rats with anti-microsomal GSH S-transferase antibody after SDS-PAGE showed the presence of a dimer of the transferase. When microsomal suspensions prepared from PB-treated rats were placed on ice without GSH, the microsomal GSH S-transferase activity gradually increased with time and reached 200% of the initial level at 3 hr when activation of the transferase by N-ethylmaleimide was lost. The time-dependent increase in GSH S-transferase activity in PB-treated microsomes was prevented by addition of 0.1 mM GSH. The increase in microsomal GSH S-transferase activity by NADPH was depressed by cytochrome P450 inhibitors such as SKF 525-A (2-diethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate), metyrapone or isoniazid in agreement with the concomitant decrease in generation of hydrogen peroxide in microsomes. These results indicate that the increase in GSH S-transferase activity in liver microsomes by PB treatment of rats is due to the oxidative modification of the enzyme by reactive oxygen species which are concomitantly increased following induction of cytochrome P450.

Amitrole↗

Differences in the kinetic properties, effect of calcium and sensitivity to inhibitors of paraoxon hydrolase activity in rat plasma and microsomal fraction from rat liver.

The properties of a rat hepatic microsomal enzyme that hydrolyses O,O-diethyl-p-nitrophenylphosphate (paraoxon) were studied and compared to the paraoxon hydrolase activity found in rat plasma. The pH stability for both enzyme activities was optimum between pH 6.0 and 9.0. An overall analysis of the data showed that the microsomal fraction was less resistant to the effect of the pH than plasma. The kinetic constants for heat inactivation evaluated for paraoxonase in rat plasma and liver microsomal fraction indicate that paraoxonase tends to inactivate faster in rat liver microsomes than in rat plasma. The apparent activation energies of the heat inactivation process were 77.7 and 61.1 kcal/mol for rat plasma and microsomal fraction, respectively. Enzyme activity was lost after both dialysis and incubation with EDTA and partially restored by the addition of calcium. In rat plasma samples the requirement for calcium was absolute (essential activator) while in the microsomal fraction the reaction may occur, to a minimum extent, in the absence of the activator (non-essential activator). Calcium restored 85% activity when added immediately after EDTA; restored activity decreased when the time interval between addition of EDTA and calcium was increased. Other metals were not able to restore activity previously inhibited by EDTA or dialysis. The response to several inhibitors (EDTA, Mn, Co, Zn, Ba, Mg, Cu, La, Hg and p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoate) of rat plasma and microsomal fraction was studied, determining the type of inhibition and the inhibition constants. Plasma enzyme was always more resistant than liver sample to the effect of the inhibitors and showed different types of inhibition than the liver microsomal fraction. In general we found more differences than analogies between the rat plasma and liver enzyme which suggests the presence of two enzymes or two different forms of the same enzyme. Furthermore the existence of an EDTA-resistant fraction in rat liver microsomes suggests that more than one enzyme capable of hydrolysing paraoxon is present in the microsomal fraction of rat liver.

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