Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Microsomes”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

Characterization of the NADPH-dependent covalent binding of [14C]halothane to human liver microsomes: a role for cytochrome P4502E1 at low substrate concentrations.

Activation of halothane to trifluoroacetyl halide, followed by covalent binding to proteins (neoantigen formation) has been proposed to be the mechanism by which halothane causes immune hepatitis. The aim of this study was to identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme primarily responsible for the NADPH-dependent covalent binding of [14C]halothane to human liver microsomes. Human liver microsomes were incubated in the absence and presence of NADPH with various concentrations of halothane (from 4.6 to 3,300 microM) to examine the effects of substrate concentration on the nonspecific and specific (NADPH-dependent) binding of [14C]halothane to microsomal protein. As a function of substrate concentration, the specific binding of [14C]halothane to human liver microsomes was biphasic, suggesting that the activation of halothane is catalyzed by a high-affinity enzyme(s) at low substrate concentrations (<150 microM) and by a low-affinity enzyme(s) at high substrate concentrations (>150 microM). For the high-affinity enzyme, the apparent KM for the covalent binding of [14C]halothane was approximately 10 microM, and Vmax was approximately 32 pmol equivalents of halothane bound/mg protein/min under conditions where covalent binding was directly proportional to incubation time and protein concentration. Ten individual samples of human liver microsomes were incubated with a low concentration of halothane (35 microM) to determine the sample-to-sample variation in the specific binding of [14C]halothane to microsomal protein. Covalent binding ranged from 10 to 40 pmol equivalents of halothane bound/mg protein/min and was highly correlated (r2 = 0.93) with the sample-to-sample variation in chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylase activity, which reflects the levels of CYP2E1. These results suggest that CYP2E1 is the high-affinity enzyme in human liver microsomes responsible for activating halothane to a reactive metabolite. This is supported by the observation that 4-methylpyrazole, a CYP2E1 inhibitor, inhibited the NADPH-dependent binding of [14C]halothane to microsomal protein. The sample-to-sample variation in the covalent binding of [14C]halothane at high substrate concentrations did not correlate with any known CYP enzyme activity. This suggests that several enzymes catalyze the oxidation of halothane at higher substrate concentrations. In conclusion, at pharmacologically relevant concentrations, the covalent binding of halothane to human liver microsomes is primarily catalyzed by CYP2E1.

Autoradiography↗

Reappraisal of human CYP isoforms involved in imipramine N-demethylation and 2-hydroxylation: a study using microsomes obtained from putative extensive and poor metabolizers of S-mephenytoin and eleven recombinant human CYPs.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) involved in the two major pathways of imipramine (IMI) was reappraised using human liver microsomes phenotyped for S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation in vitro and 11 recombinant human CYP isoforms. Individual Eadie-Hoffstee plots for IMI N-demethylation and 2-hydroxylation showed a monophasic profile in microsomes obtained from three putative S-mephenytoin poor metabolizer (PM) livers, whereas the plots gave a biphasic relationship (except for one case in 2-hydroxylation) in those from the three extensive metabolizer (EM) livers. Effects of CYP-selective inhibitor/substrate probes on the two metabolic reactions were examined at the two IMI concentrations (2 and 400 microM) with microsomes obtained from the two PM and three EM livers. S-mephenytoin inhibited IMI N-demethylation by 50% at the low concentration in microsomes from the EM livers with no discernible effect on this pathway in those from the PM livers. Furafylline inhibited the N-demethylation by about 60% at the low and high substrate concentrations in microsomes from both the EM and PM livers. Quinidine abolished the 2-hydroxylation at the low and high concentrations in microsomes from both the EM and the PM livers. Among the recombinant human CYPs, CYP2C19, 2C18, 2D6, 1A2, 3A4 and 2B6 in rank order catalyzed the N-demethylation, whereas CYP2D6, 2C19, 1A2, 2C18 and 3A4 catalyzed the 2-hydroxylation. The Km values obtained from recombinant CYP2C19 and 1A2 approximated those of the high- and low-affinity components from human liver microsomes for IMI N-demethylation, respectively. For IMI 2-hydroxylation, the respective Km values obtained from recombinant CYP2D6 and 2C19 were close to those of the high- and low-affinity components from human liver microsomes. Our human liver microsomal study using the near-therapeutic IMI concentration (2 microM) suggests that 1) CYP2C19 and 1A2 are involved in the N-demethylation and the 2-hydroxylation is mediated exclusively by CYP2D6 and partially by CYP2C19 in the EM livers, and 2) CYP1A2 and 2D6 play a major role in IMI N-demethylation and 2-hydroxylation, respectively, in the PM livers. Our recombinant human CYP isoform study, in general, supports this conclusion.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗

Cytochromes P450 with bisallylic hydroxylation activity on arachidonic and linoleic acids studied with human recombinant enzymes and with human and rat liver microsomes.

Bisallylic carbons of polyunsaturated fatty acids can be hydroxylated in NADPH-dependent reactions in liver microsomes. Human recombinant cytochromes P450 and human and rat liver microsomes were assayed for bisallylic hydroxylation activity. CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 converted [14C]linoleic acid to 14C-labeled 11-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (11-HODE), whereas [14C]arachidonic acid was oxygenated by CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 to 14C-labeled 13-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (13-HETE), 10-HETE and 7-HETE as determined by HPLC. Both substrates were also converted to many other metabolites. CYP2C9 appeared to form 12R-HETE and 13-HETE, whereas CYP2C8 formed 13-HETE, 11-HETE and 15-HETE as main monohydroxy metabolites. Fetal human liver microsomes metabolized linoleic acid to 11-HODE as a major hydroxy metabolite, whereas arachidonic acid appeared to be hydroxylated at C13, C20 and, to some extent, at C10, C19 and C7. Fetal liver microsomes mainly formed 13R-HETE, whereas adult human liver microsomes and CYP1A2 mainly formed 13S-HETE. 7,8-Benzoflavone (5 microM) and furafylline (20 microM), two inhibitors of CYP1A2, reduced the bisallylic hydroxylation activity of adult human liver microsomes. Treatment of rats with erythromycin or dexamethasone induced bisallylic hydroxylation of linoleic acid to 11-HODE in liver microsomes by 2- and 10-fold, respectively. The biosynthesis of 11-HODE by microsomes of dexamethasone-treated rats was inhibited by troleandomycin (ED50 = 1 microM) and by polyclonal antibodies against CYP3A1, suggesting that CYP3A1 could catalyze bisallylic hydroxylations in the dexamethasone-treated rat. We conclude from steric analysis of 13-HETE and the effects of CYP inhibitors on adult human liver microsomes that CYP1A2 might contribute to its bisallylic hydroxylation activity.

Animals↗

Low-Km mannose-6-phosphatase as a criterion for microsomal integrity.

The low-Km activity of mannose-6-phosphatase (Man-6-Pase) has been used for many years to measure the structural integrity of microsomes. Recently histone II-A has been shown to activate glucose-6-phosphatase (Glc-6-Pase) and Man-6-Pase activities. However, in contrast to detergents, this compound appears to activate without disrupting microsomal vesicles (J.-F. St-Denis, B. Annabi, H. Khoury, and G. van de Werve. 1995. Biochem. J. 310: 221-224). This suggests that Man-6-Pase latency can be abolished without disrupting microsomal integrity and that even normally microsomes may manifest some low-Km Man-6-Pase activity without being "leaky." We have studied the relationship of Man-6-Pase with microsomal integrity further by measuring the latency of several enzymes reported to reside within the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum. We have also correlated this latency with the microsomal permeability of substrates for these enzymes. We found that (i) lumenal enzymes have different degrees of latency when compared with each other, (ii) permeability, as determined via osmotically induced changes in light scattering, is not always consistent with enzymatic latency, (iii) increases in the hydrolysis of Glc-6-P and Man-6-P were not parallel when microsomes were treated with low but increasing concentrations of detergent, and (iv) kinetic studies suggest that mannose-6-phosphate is hydrolyzed by untreated microsomes by more than a single mechanism. We propose that Man-6-Pase is not a reliable index of the integrity of microsomes.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

Induction of microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and cytochrome P-450IVA1 (P-450LA omega) by dehydroepiandrosterone in rats: a possible peroxisomal proliferator.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a naturally occurring C19-steroid that is found in the peripheral circulation of mammals, including humans. The feeding of DHEA to rodents has been shown to inhibit chemical carcinogenesis in colon, liver, and lung. Therefore, the effect of DHEA on hepatic enzyme activities that are associated with carcinogen metabolism was assessed. Microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity and the content of cytochrome b5 were induced 1.8- and 1.4-fold, respectively, upon feeding male Sprague-Dawley rats a synthetic diet containing 0.45% DHEA (w/w). No significant changes in total content of microsomal cytochrome P-450 or the activities of microsomal NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase and cytosolic or microsomal NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase were noted at day 7 of feeding. Cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity was decreased to 68% of control activity. Administration of DHEA p.o. or by i.p. injection for 5 days led to the same extent of induction of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity. Maximal induction of this flavoprotein reductase was noted between days 3 and 4 of feeding or at a dose of 80-120 mg/kg i.p. A small but statistically significant increase in total microsomal cytochrome P-450 was observed after DHEA administration i.p. Rats fed DHEA had a slower growth rate compared with rats fed control diet, whereas rats treated with DHEA i.p. had growth rates identical to those of controls. The liver weights of rats given DHEA by p.o. or i.p. routes were increased significantly compared to those of control rats. Pair feeding of rats with DHA-containing or control diets served to demonstrate that the levels of induction of hepatic microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and at least one form of cytochrome P450 (P-450IVA1) were the same as those seen in livers of rats fed DHEA ad libitum. This finding suggested that the induction of the flavoprotein and at least one form of the cytochrome was not due to caloric restriction. The increase in NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase content of liver microsomes prepared from rats either fed or treated i.p. with DHEA was also observed by Western blotting techniques. DHEA did not appear to induce any of the major forms of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 that are normally increased by either phenobarbital, beta-naphthoflavone, or dexamethasone pretreatment of rats in vivo. However, the measurement of androstenedione and testosterone metabolism in vitro showed pronounced decreases in the 16 alpha-hydroxylase activities of liver microsomes following DHEA feeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Changes in amounts of cytochrome P450 isozymes and levels of catalytic activities in hepatic and renal microsomes of rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes.

Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450s, which are involved in the metabolism of drugs, hormones, prostaglandins and fatty acids, change when animals develop diabetes. We studied changes in cytochrome P450 isozymes in both hepatic and renal microsomes of rats with diabetes caused by streptozocin, and compared the results with changes in catalytic activities in the microsomes. In hepatic microsomes of diabetic rats, the amount of cytochrome P450 2E1, an acetone-inducible isozyme, was two and a half times that of control rats, and that of P450 4A2, a major renal isozyme, was three times that in the controls. The amounts of cytochrome P450s 2A1, 2C6, 2C7, 3A2 and 4A3 increased in hepatic microsomes of diabetic rats, and P450 2C11 decreased. Treatment with insulin restored these to the levels in the controls. The catalytic activities of aniline hydroxylation, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-dealkylation, testosterone 2 beta, 6 beta, 7 alpha, and 16 beta-hydroxylation, and omega-, (omega-1)-hydroxylation of lauric acid were high in the hepatic microsomes of diabetic rats, and testosterone 2 alpha and 16 alpha-hydroxylation activities were low. In renal microsomes of diabetic rats, cytochrome P450s 2E1, 4A2 and K-4 were induced, and omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylation activities were high. These changes were reversed by insulin treatment. The induction and suppression of cytochrome P450 isozymes in diabetic rats were consistent with the changes in the catalytic activities. In both hepatic and renal microsomes, P450s 2E1 and 4A2 were induced, altered metabolism of ketones and fatty acids in diabetes may contribute to these changes.

Animals↗

Sites of action of cadmium in vitro on hepatic, adrenal, and pulmonary microsomal monooxygenases in guinea pigs.

Preincubation of hepatic, adrenal, or pulmonary microsomal preparations with cadmium produced time-dependent decreases in monooxygenase (benzphetamine demethylase, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase) activities. Addition of cadmium after the preincubation period had little or no effect on microsomal metabolism. As a result of preincubation with cadmium, hepatic cytochrome P-450 levels declined and the magnitude of the benzphetamine-induced type I spectral change in hepatic microsomes decreased. Cadmium also decreased hepatic NADPH-cytochrome c and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activities but had no effect on NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Cadmium similarly decreased cytochrome P-450 concentrations and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity in lung microsomes without affecting NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Preincubation of adrenal microsomes with cadmium had no effects on cytochrome P-450 levels, on the benzphetamine-induced type I spectrum, or on NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. However, decreases in adrenal NADPH-cytochrome c and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activities resulted which closely paralleled the decline in adrenal monooxygenase activities. EDTA extraction of hepatic, adrenal, or pulmonary microsomes after the preincubation exposure removed about 95% of the cadmium but did not diminish the effects of the metal on microsomal monooxygenases. The results indicate that cadmium has somewhat varying sites of action on hepatic, adrenal, and pulmonary monooxygenases, but in all three tissues electron transfer to cytochrome P-450 is compromised. In addition, the effects of cadmium on microsomal metabolism persist fully even after removal of approximately 95% of the metal.

Adrenal Glands↗

Importance of the polyunsaturated fatty acid to vitamin E ratio in the resistance of rat lung microsomes to lipid peroxidation.

Rat lung microsomes and liposomes made from isolated lung microsomal lipids were found to be much more resistant to lipid peroxidation than those from liver in both enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of isolated lung microsomal lipids was 28% of total fatty acids, while liver was 54%. The vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) content of isolated lung microsomal lipids was 2.13 nmol/mumol lipid phosphate and that of liver was 0.43. Individually, neither the lower PUFA content nor higher vitamin E levels could account for the resistance of lung microsomal lipids to peroxidation. Distearoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine and/or alpha-tocopherol were added to liver microsomal lipids to achieve different PUFA to vitamin E ratios at PUFA contents of 28% or 54%, and the resulting liposomes were subjected to an NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation system utilizing cytochrome P450 reductase, EDTA-Fe+3, and ADP-Fe+3. Liposomes having PUFA to vitamin E ratios less than approximately 250 nmol PUFA/nmol vitamin E were resistant to peroxidation, whereas lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by malondialdehyde production, occurred in liposomes having higher ratios. When lipid peroxidation occurred, 40%-60% of the liposomal vitamin E was irreversibly oxidized. Irreversible oxidation did not occur in the absence of lipid peroxidation. These studies indicated that the low PUFA to vitamin E ratio in lung microsomes and isolated microsomal lipids was sufficient to account for the observed resistance to lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗

Dog pancreatic microsomal-membrane polypeptides analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

The two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis technique of O'Farrell [(1975) J. Biol. Chem 250, 4007-4021] was applied to resolve and analyse the polypeptide composition of dog pancreatic rough microsomal membranes, which were shown to be active in co-translational processing of preprolactin synthesized from pituitary mRNA in a translation system in vitro. About 100 polypeptides are resolved. Treatment of rough microsomal membranes with EDTA and high KCl concentration yielded membranes stripped of their ribosomes with retention of activity for translocation and processing. Stripped microsomal membranes showed a selective concentration of approximately 25 polypeptides in the membranes when analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The two-dimensional electrophoretic profile was catalogued into polypeptides that are glycoproteins, those that contain free thiol groups disposed at the cytosolic surface of microsomal vesicles and those that are of secretory origin but have been entrapped in the microsomal preparation. Several secretory components, including amylase, procarboxypeptidases, lipase and anionic trypsinogen, were tentatively identified among the microsomal polypeptides. The rough and stripped microsomal membranes from dog pancreas show a characteristic set of seven major acidic polypeptides, which are also identifiable in microsomal-membrane preparations isolated from dog liver and rat liver. One of these polypeptides was identified as protein disulphide-isomerase (EC 5.3.4.1).

Animals↗

Differential hormonal regulation of carbonyl reductase activities in liver and kidney microsomes of rat.

1. In the male rat, hepatic microsomal carbonyl reductase (CR) activity decreased by testectomy (Tx) was restored to the control level by the treatment with testosterone propionate (TP), even though the enzyme activity decreased by hypophysectomy (Hx) was not increased by the treatment with TP. On the other hand, renal microsomal CR activities decreased by Tx and Hx were markedly increased by the treatment with TP. 2. The treatment with TP had no effect on the CR activity in liver microsomes of the ovariectomized or hypophysectomized female rat. On the other hand, the CR activities in kidney microsomes of the ovariectomized and hypophysectomized female rat were significantly increased by the treatment with TP. 3. The results indicate that in rat programmed by neonatal androgens, the hepatic microsomal CR activity is regulated indirectly by androgens through the hypothalamus-pituitary system, whereas the hormonal regulation of the renal microsomal CR activity is not via the pituitary. We conclude that the regulatory mechanism of the CR activity in liver microsomes is distinguishable from that in kidney microsomes.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Pancreatic microsomes; an integrated morphological and biochemical study.

The pancreatic exocrine cell of the guinea pig has a voluminous endoplasmic reticulum distinguished by extensive association with small, dense particles, and by its orderly disposition in the basal region of the cell. In addition to the small, ( approximately 15 mmicro), dense particles attached to the limiting membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, numerous particles of similar appearance are found freely scattered in the cytoplasmic matrix. The various cell structures of pancreatic exocrine cells can be satisfactorily identified in pancreatic homogenates. The microsome fraction consists primarily of spherical vesicles (80 to 300 mmicro), limited by a thin membrane (7 mmicro) which bears small ( approximately 15 mmicro) dense particles attached on its outer surface. The content of the microsomal vesicles is usually of high density. Pancreatic microsomes derive by extensive fragmentation mainly from the rough surfaced parts of the endoplasmic reticula of exocrine cells. A few damaged mitochondria and certain dense granules ( approximately 150 mmicro) originating probably from islet cells, contaminate the microsome fraction. Pancreatic microsomes contain RNA, protein, and a relatively small amount of phospholipide and hemochromogen. They do not have DPNH-cytochrome c reductase activity. In six experiments the RNA/protein N ratios were found grouped around two different means, namely 0.6 and 1.3. Pancreatic microsomes are more labile than liver microsomes but react in a similar way to RN-ase-(loss of the particulate component and RNA), and deoxycholate treatment (loss of the membranous component and of phospholipide, hemochromogen, and most of the protein). Postmicrosomal fractions consisting primarly of small ( approximately 15 mmicro), dense particles of ribonucleoprotein (RNA/protein N ratio = 1 to 2) were obtained by further centrifugation of the microsomal supernatant. The small nucleoprotein particles of these fractions are frequently found associated in chains or clusters.

Animals↗

Permeability of rat liver microsomes to sucrose and carboxypolyglucose in vitro.

A study was made of the permeability of the microsomes to C(14)-sucrose and to C(14)-carboxypolyglucose, a branch-chained glucose polymer with a molecular weight of approximately 50,000. It was concluded that the microsomal membranes are permeable to sucrose on the basis of the following evidence: the volume of distribution of C(14)-sucrose was 84 per cent of the total microsomal pellet water; the sucrose unavailable volume, the per cent dry weights of the microsomal pellets, and the optical density of microsomal suspensions were independent of the concentration of sucrose in the suspending medium. It is suggested that the microsomal water which is unavailable to sucrose may be bound to protein and/or ribonucleic acid of the microsomes. The volume of distribution of C(14)-carboxypolyglucose was 44 per cent of the total pellet water, and it is considered that the microsomal membranes may be impermeable to this compound. Pretreatment with ribonuclease resulted in small increases in the volumes of distribution of both C(14)-sucrose and C(14)-carboxypolyglucose.

Animals↗

Studies on the function of intracellular ribonucleases. III. The relationship of the ribonuclease activity of rat liver microsomes to their biological activity.

Attempts have been made to prepare rat liver microsomes and ribosomes free of RNase activity. Washing of microsomes with a large number of reagents, as well as preparation of microsomes by homogenizing the liver in the presence of a variety of reagents chosen to remove or inhibit RNase activity, failed to abolish completely the enzyme activity. However, when rat liver was homogenized in the presence of optimal concentrations of ATP the microsomes subsequently obtained showed no RNase activity. The composition of such microsomes was compared to controls prepared without the use of ATP. Preparation of microsomes with the use of ATP apparently repressed but did not remove the RNase activity for, when such microsomes were treated with 1 per cent deoxycholate to obtain ribosomes, the latter exhibited normal RNase activity. A possible explanation for these results based on several experiments is given. The incorporation of C(14) of L-leucine-C(14) into control and ATP-treated microsomes was measured. Repression of RNase activity by use of ATP or with RNase inhibitor, significantly reduced the incorporation. As a result of these and other experiments it is tentatively concluded that an alkaline RNase is a normal constituent of rat liver ribosomes and plays a role in the biological activity of these particles.

Animals↗

Microsomal metabolism of the carcinogen, N-2-fluorenyl-acetamide, by the mammary gland and liver of female rats. II. Glucuronidation of ring- and N-hydroxylated metabolites of N-2-fluorenylacetamide.

We determined UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDP-GT) activities of hepatic and mammary gland microsomes of female rats with p-nitrophenol and the ring- and N-hydroxylated metabolites of N-2-fluorenylacetamide (2-FAA) and the effects of hepatic inducers of UDP-GT's on these glucuronidations. Pre-treatment of non-lactating (NL) and lactating (L) rats with beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF) significantly increased glucuronidations, of p-nitrophenol, the phenolic metabolites of 2-FAA, especially of 5-hydroxy-2-FAA, and also of N-hydroxy-2-FAA by hepatic microsomes. Pre-treatment of L rats with beta-NF or 3-methyl-cholanthrene (3-MC) significantly increased glucuronidations of these compounds by mammary gland microsomes suggesting that both liver and mammary gland of L rats possess similar UDP-GT activities. In NL rats, UDP-GT activities of mammary microsomes toward phenols were greater than in L rats, and except for that of 5- and 7-hydroxy-2-FAA, were not inducible with beta-NF. The data obtained with L rats, the greater magnitude of stimulation of the hepatic UDP-GT of NL rats by beta-NF than by phenobarbital, and the lack of effect of the latter on UDP-GT of mammary microsomes suggested that the phenolic metabolites of 2-FAA and N-hydroxy-2-FAA share chiefly the characteristics of substrates for group 1 UDP-GT activities (i.e., those inducible with beta-NF or 3-MC). Neither inducer increased glucuronidation of 9-hydroxy-2-FAA, a relatively poor substrate for UDP-GT of mammary or hepatic microsomes. In contrast to hepatic microsomes which formed considerable amounts of the glucuronide of N-hydroxy-2-FAA, mammary gland microsomes glucuronidated this substrate to a minor extent only. This suggested that glucuronide of N-hydroxy-2-FAA may play a role in systemic, but not in local mammary tumorigenesis by N-hydroxy-2-FAA.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Effect of chronic ethanol treatment and selective breeding for sensitivity to ethanol on calcium release induced by inositol trisphosphate or ethanol from brain and liver microsomes.

Our previous work showed that ethanol increases the resting intracellular free calcium concentration (CAi) in synaptosomes and releases calcium from an inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-insensitive calcium store of brain microsomes. In this report, we investigated the effects of chronic ethanol treatment and selective breeding for hypnotic sensitivity to ethanol on IP3 and ethanol-stimulated calcium release from brain and liver microsomes. Chronic ethanol treatment did not alter IP3-stimulated calcium release from brain microsomes or ethanol-stimulated calcium release from brain or liver microsomes. Chronic ethanol treatment increased the spontaneous release of calcium from brain but not liver microsomes. In microsomes isolated from cerebellum or cerebral cortex of long-sleep (LS) and short-sleep (SS) mice, ethanol and IP3 released calcium in a concentration dependent manner. The amount of calcium released by ethanol and IP3 was larger in microsomes isolated from cerebellum than microsomes from cerebral cortex. However, the amount of calcium released by ethanol and IP3 did not differ between the two lines in either brain area. These results do not support the idea that the hypnotic effects of ethanol are due to ethanol-induced calcium release from a nonmitochondrial intracellular calcium store in brain tissue. The development of ethanol tolerance and dependence also does not appear to be associated with altered ability of ethanol to release calcium from non-mitochondrial intracellular stores; however, effects of chronic ethanol exposure on spontaneous release of intracellular calcium could alter neuronal function in ethanol dependence.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Cytochrome-P-450-dependent metabolism of retinoic acid in rat skin microsomes: inhibition by ketoconazole.

Epidermal microsomes, prepared from neonatal Wistar or Sprague-Dawley rats, show low levels of retinoic acid (RA) metabolism. The specific activities (as fmol/min/mg protein) of epidermal microsomes, using [15-14C]-RA as substrate, are 232 (Wistar rats) and 222 (Sprague-Dawley rats). Topical application of RA (1 mg) on 4-day-old rats induces a 3.3- and 3.9-fold increase in epidermis microsomal RA metabolism. A 4.6- to 8.1-fold increase is observed 24 h after topical application of 3-methylcholanthrene (0.5 mg). By contrast, phenobarbital (1 mg topically) has a much smaller inducing effect. So far the chemical structure of the metabolites has not been identified. The Rf values of two major compounds correspond with those of 4-hydroxy- and 4-ketoretinoic acid, formed after incubation of hamster liver microsomes in the presence of [15-14C]-RA. The RA metabolism in rat epidermal microsomes shows the typical characteristics of a cytochrome-P-450 (P450)-dependent enzyme system, i.e. a requirement for NADPH and oxygen and inhibition by CO and SKF-525A. Ketoconazole and miconazole, imidazole antifungal agents and inhibitors of some fungal and mammalian P450-dependent enzymes, inhibit in vitro RA metabolism by rat epidermal microsomes. 50% inhibition is achieved at 6.5 X 10(-7) and greater than or equal to 10(-5) mol/l, respectively. The triazole antifungal agent, itraconazole, has no effect at concentrations up to 10(-5) mol/l. Topical treatment of 4-day-old Wistar rats with ketoconazole, at doses of 1,5 and 10 mg/kg, 1 h before the application of RA (1 mg/rat) results in a dose-dependent inhibition of RA metabolism by epidermal microsomes, prepared 24 h later. Our data show a P450-dependent RA metabolism in rat epidermal microsomes and suggest that ketoconazole may prove to be effective in maintaining biologically active levels of RA in epidermal cells.

Animals↗

Microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system.

Advances in our knowledge of the microsomal metabolism of ethanol enable us to understand a number of complications that develop in the alcoholic. After chronic ethanol consumption, microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (MEOS) activity increases with an associated rise in microsomal cytochrome P-450, including a form different from that induced by phenobarbital and methylcholanthrene and which has a high affinity for ethanol, as shown in reconstituted systems. The role of this MEOS in vivo and its increase after chronic ethanol consumption was most conclusively shown in alcohol dehydrogenase-negative deer mice. Microsomal induction is also associated with enhanced metabolism of other drugs, resulting in metabolic drug tolerance. Furthermore, there is increased conversion to toxic metabolites of known hepatotoxic agents (such as CCl4), which may explain the enhanced susceptibility of alcoholics to the toxicity of industrial solvents. Furthermore, the ethanol-induced form of cytochrome P-450 has a high capacity for the conversion to toxic metabolites of some commonly used drugs, such as acetaminophen, and also carcinogens, such as dimethylnitrosamine which is activated at concentrations much lower than those required for other microsomal inducers. Moreover, catabolism of retinol is accelerated through a newly discovered microsomal pathway, thereby contributing to hepatic vitamin A depletion and possibly vitamin A toxicity. There is also induction of microsomal enzymes involved in lipoprotein production, resulting in hyperlipemia. Contrasting with the chronic effects of ethanol consumption, acutely, ethanol inhibits the metabolism of other drugs through competition for an at least partially shared microsomal detoxification pathway.

Alcoholism↗

Comparative metabolism of 1-, 2-, and 4-nitropyrene by human hepatic and pulmonary microsomes.

Determining the capability of humans to metabolize the mononitropyrene (mono-NP) isomers 1-, 2-, and 4-NP and understanding which human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are involved in their activation and/or detoxification is important in the assessment of individual susceptibility to these environmental carcinogens. We compared the ability of 15 human hepatic and 8 pulmonary microsomal samples to metabolize each of the three isomers. Human hepatic microsomes were competent in metabolizing all three isomers. Qualitatively similar metabolic patterns were observed, although at much lower levels, upon incubating mono-NP with pulmonary microsomes. Ring-oxidized metabolites (phenols and trans-dihydrodiols) were produced from all three isomers. However, the nitroreductive metabolism leading to the formation of aminopyrene was evident only with 4-NP. The role of specific P450 enzymes in the human hepatic microsomal metabolism of mono-NP was investigated by correlating the P450-dependent catalytic activities in each microsomal sample with the levels of individual metabolites formed by the same microsomes and by examining the effects of agents that can either inhibit or stimulate specific P450 enzymes in mono-NP metabolism. On the basis of these studies, we attribute most of the hepatic microsomal metabolism of 1- and 4-NP to P450 3A4, although a minor role for P450 1A2 cannot be ruled out. Specifically, P450 3A4 was responsible for the formation of 3-hydroxy-1nitropyrene from 1-NP and the formation of trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10dihydroxy-4-nitropyrene, 9(10)-hydroxy-4-nitropyrene, and 4-aminopyrene from 4-NP. None of the P450 enzymes examined (P450s 3A4, 1A2, 2E1, 2A6, 2D6, and 2C9) appeared to be involved in catalyzing the formation of trans-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxy-2-nitropyrene and 6-hydroxy-2-nitropyrene from 2-NP in human hepatic microsomes. These results, the first report on the comparative metabolism of mono-NP in humans, clearly demonstrate that the role of specific human P450 enzymes in catalyzing oxidative and reductive pathways of mono-NP is dependent upon the position of the nitro group.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗