Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase”

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 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase in isolated rat liver cells.

1. The activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase found in the 10000 x g supernatant prepared from isolated rat liver cells was comparable to that found with microsomal fractions from whole liver. 2. The activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase from cells prepared from livers of rats fed the bile salt sequestering agent cholestyramine was 2--3 fold higher than the activity of this enzyme found in cells isolated from animals on a control diet. 3. On incubation of hepatocytes in a suitable medium at 37 degrees C, cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity declined to about 50% of its original value after three hours despite the fact that the cells retained a high level of viability over 5--6 h as measured by various sensitive criteria. 4. The decrease in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity was observed whether cholestyramine was included in the diet or excluded from the diet of the animals used as sources of the liver cells. 5. The change in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity seen on incubation of the cells was not affected by including in the incubation medium additional nutrients such as amino acids, the glucocorticoid cortisol, phospholipid dispersions, or sodium taurocholate. 6. Changing the incubation medium in which the cells were suspended at regular intervals during the three-hour experiments failed to prevent this decline in the cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity during the incubation of these cells. 7. Although isolated liver cells have been shown to lose glutathione on incubation, addition of physiological levels of this compound did not prevent the decline in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity. 8. Cycloheximide addition to the incubation medium accelerated the decrease in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity. This suggests that some protein synthesis associated with cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity occurs during the incubation and inhibition of such protein synthesis accelerated the decrease in this enzyme activity. 9. The cytochrome P-450 content of the 10000 x g supernatant prepared from hepatocytes declined slowly to about 65% of its original value after four hours of incubation at 37 degrees C. This decline in the 10000 x g supernatant cytochrome P-450 content may partly explain the observed loss of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity during incubations in vitro. 10. Isolated hepatocytes rapidly take up radioactively labelled sodium cholate. Subsequent excretion of the radioactivity was also very rapid even in the presence of large amounts of this bile salt in the medium.

Animals↗

The effect of bile acids on "solubilized" cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in swine.

Optimal assay conditions for cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in swine liver microsomes were determined. The enzyme activity is induced three-fold by feeding cholestyramine to the swine. This suggests that cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase is likely to be the rate-limiting enzyme for biosynthesis of bile acids in swine. The effects of various bile acids on cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase in swine microsome and "solubilized" cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity have been studied. There is no significant reduction of native microsomal enzyme activity. However, except for chenodeoxycholic acid, most of the bile acids tested exerted significant inhibition on "solubilized" cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase. This finding suggests that bile acids could interact with and regulate the rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid formation in swine.

Animals↗

The role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of the diurnal rhythm of hepatic beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase.

The microsomal activities of the hepatic enzymes hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase exhibit a diurnal rhythm with maximum activities observed during the dark period and minimum activities around noon (12:00h). This diurnal rhythm was maintained for both enzymes after adrenalectomy, but the amplitude of variation for the activity of both enzymes was greatly decreased. A single injection of cortisol administered to adrenalectomized rats 3h before the expected maximum in enzyme activity resulted in a twofold increase in the activity of both enzymes 3h later, at values similar to those observed for control rats killed at the same time. This response appeared to require protein synthesis, since it was blocked by actinomycin D. However, the administration of cortisol to adrenalectomized rats 3 h before the expected minimum did not result in significant change in the activity of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase 3 h later. Kinetic studies of cholic acid metabolism in vivo demonstrated that adrenalectomy results in a significant decrease in the rate of synthesis of cholic acid and a considerable decrease in the pool size of cholic acid and its metabolic products. Treatment of adrenalectomized rats with cortisol increased the rate oonsistent with the effects of adrenalectomy and cortisol treatment on the activity of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase.

Adrenalectomy↗

Circadian rhythm of cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase and cortisol in the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops).

Cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase in African green monkey liver had an apparent Km of 1.65-10(-4) M cholesterol and a pH optimum of 7.4. The amplitudes of the circadian maxima of enzyme activity and serum cortisol levels were significantly greater in vervets than in grivets. Fluctuations in enzyme activity and cortisol levels during the circadian cycle were positively correlated (r = 0.89). Enzyme activities and hormone levels were 2.7-fold lower over a 24-h period in the grivet than in the vervet. Cholesterol feeding reduced the enzyme activity by 40% and serum cortisol was reduced to 38% of control levels at the diurnal peak. Serum glucocorticoids may be important physiological regulators of cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase in non-human primates. The concentration of cortisol and its time of release appear to be factors in the hyperresponsive trait of grivets. Genetic differences between vervet and grivet races may account for differences in the amplitude and timing of the circadian rhythm of cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase activity possibly influenced by cortisol.

Animals↗

Effect of prostaglandins E1 and F1alpha on the activities of cholesteryl ester synthetase and cholesteryl ester hydrolases of pigeon aorta in vitro.

The in vitro effects of prostaglandins E1 and F1alpha on the activity of cholesteryl ester synthetase and cholesteryl ester hydrolase activities of the pigeon aorta were examined. It was found that prostaglandin E1 markedly inhibited the cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity in the supernatant fraction and slightly inhibited the cholesteryl ester synthetase activity. Prostaglandin F1alpha, however, modestly stimulated the cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity both in the microsomal and in the supernatant fraction of the aorta. These observations strongly warrant further studies on the role of prostaglandins in atherogenesis.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of adrenal cortex mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 specific for cholesterol side chain cleavage activity.

Cytochrome P-450 was purified from bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria by affinity chromatography using an octylamine-substituted Sepharose column. The resulting optically clear preparation was stable at -20 degrees for months. The specific concentration of cytochrome P-450 in the preparation was about 5 nmol of heme per mg of protein. The preparations were free of adrenodoxin, adrenodoxin reductase, phospholipids, and other heme contaminations. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified cytochrome P-450 preparation treated with sodium dodecyl sulfate and mercaptoethanol showed a single major band with a molecular weight of about 60,000. The optical absorption spectra of the preparation exhibited Soret maxima at 416, 416, and 448 nm for the Fe3+, Fe2+ and the C.Fe2+ complex, respectively. The EPR spectrum showed the characteristic features of the low spin form of ferric cytochrome P-450 with principal components 1.914, 2.241, and 2.415 of the g-tensor. The circular dichroism spectrum revealed two large negative ellipticities at 412 and 350 nm. Fluorescence spectra showed an excitation maximum at 285 nm and an emission maximum at 305 nm with a shoulder at 330 nm as the cytochrome P-450 molecule is excited at 285 nm, or an emission maximum at 335 nm when the cytochrome molecule is excited at 305 nm. After reconstitution with adrenodoxin and its reductase, this cytochrome P-450 was highly active for cholesterol desmolase with an NADPH-generating system as electron donor but was not active for steroid 11beta-hydroxylase.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Correlation of liver growth and function during liver regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis.

We have previously studied some parameters of rat liver activity and compared the kinetics of cell proliferation (normal growth or after partial hepatectomy) with some specific hepatic enzymes. The mutually exclusive relationship between division and tissue function, their specific circadian rhythm as well as the "chalone effect" have been used to characterize the normal homeostatic regulatory mechanism in the liver. The same parameters have been recently determined during chemical carcinogenesis. Adult rats, fed long term with diethylnitrosamine (DENA, 10 mg/kg/day) develop liver carcinoma after 90 days of carcinogen administration. The results show that the relationship between the above parameters is progressively disturbed during the second month of treatment. A minimum of 4 weeks of continuous DENA feeding is found to be necessary for the induction of liver cancers. Giving the carcinogen for a second month decreases the delay before death with cancer. Protracting the treatment after the second month has no further effect either on survival or on cancer induction. The mechanism of carcinogenesis is explained by postulating that preneoplastic lesions evolution would closely depend on the homeostatic control disturbances.

Animals↗

The substrate for cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase.

The rates of incorporation of (14C) cholesterol into cholesteryl esters and 5-cholestene-3beta,7alpha-diol (7alpha-hydroxycholesterol) by rat liver microsomes, measured under conditions in which esterification and 7alpha-hydroxylation are varied independently, indicated that cholesterol is the substrate for cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase. The specific activities of cholesteryl esters and 7alpha-hydroxycholeste ol in incubations of microsomes labelled with (14C)cholesterol in vitro or in vivo suggest that 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol and esterified cholesterol are not derived from the same pool of free cholesterol.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effect of portacaval anastomosis on the activities of hepatic enzymes related to cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in rats.

1. The effect of a portacaval anastomosis on the activities of hepatic enzymes related to cholesterol metabolism was investigated in rats. 2. Portacaval anastomosis led to a fall in body weight and liver weight/body weight ratio, and to a rise in the activities of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase per g of liver. The net effect was to maintain a normal activity of both enzymes per 100 g of rat. Diurnal rhythm in the activities of both enzymes was maintained after portacaval anastomosis. 3. The rate of excretion of total bile acids, per 100 g of rat, in bile fistula rats was not significantly decreased by portacaval anastomosis.

Animals↗

Inhalation anesthetics and cytochrome P-450-dependent reactions in rat liver microsomes.

The activities of liver microsomal enzymes were studied in preparations from unanesthetized rats and rats anesthetized for one hour with nitrous oxide, diethyl ether, halothane or chloroform. Most of the enzymes studied were cytochrome P-450-dependent oxygenases that hydroxylate endogenous substrates. The other microsomal enzymes, assayed for comparison, included the cytochrome P-450-dependent aminopyrine demethylase, glucose-6-phosphatase, a dehydrogenase, and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. No anesthetic was associated with a significant change in activity of any enzyme studied. In rats pretreated with phenobarbital no anesthetic except chloroform changed enzymic activity. All hydroxylations were inhibited markedly by chloroform, as were a microsomal dehydrogenation, hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate, and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity. Administration of alpha-tocopherol did not prevent the inhibition associated with chloroform in phenobarbital-induced animals. It is concluded that cytochrome P-450-dependent hydroxylations involved in metabolic processes normally proceeding in the endoplasmic reticulum of the liver are not permanently affected by the anesthetics used in this study. The inhibitory effect of chloroform after pretreatment with phenobarbital is unspecific and affects a large number of different microsomal enzymes. Evidence that mechanisms other than lipid peroxidation may be responsible for the toxic effects of chloroform in the liver is presented.

Aminopyrine N-Demethylase↗

Estrogen enhances dietary cholesterol induction of saturated bile in the hamster.

The influence of ethinyl estradiol (EE) on the effects of dietary cholesterol on the biliary saturation index and on the rate-limiting hepatic enzymes of cholesterol synthesis, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA-reductase, and bile acid synthesis, 7 alpha-hydroxylase, were determined. Four groups of 12 male hamsters were treated for 1 month with EE, 15 micrograms per kg per day, or placebo vehicle administered intraperitoneally and fed either a standard diet, 0.8 mg of cholesterol per g of food, or high cholesterol diet, 2.4 mg of cholesterol per g. The high cholesterol diet increased the saturation index to 1.00 +/- 0.03 (P less than 0.01) from 0.65 +/- 0.02 in untreated hamsters on the standard diet. EE treatment on the high cholesterol diet further increased (P less than 0.01) the saturation index to 1.15 +/- 0.02. The high cholesterol diet decreased (P less than 0.01) hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA-reductase activity from 308 +/- 16 pmoles per mg per min in untreated hamsters on the standard diet. The addition of EE treatment had no effect on hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA-reductase activity. The high cholesterol diet increased (P less than 0.01) 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity from 23 +/- 1.0 pmoles per mg per min in untreated hamsters on the standard diet. The addition of EE decreased (P less than 0.01) 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity from that in untreated hamsters on the standard diet. The conclusions are as follows: (1) EE prevented dietary cholesterol-induced stimulation of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity; (2) EE enhanced the ability of dietary cholesterol to induce saturated bile; and (3) gallstone formation in estrogen-treated women may result from impaired metabolism of dietary cholesterol.

Animals↗