Nonlinear relationship between circulating concentrations of reduced haloperidol and haloperidol: evaluation of possible mechanisms

In patients taking haloperidol (HP), circulating concentrations of reduced haloperidol (RHP increase disproportionately to the dose or concentration of the parent drug. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that the nonlinearity is due to preferential saturation of the reoxidation of RHP to HP, and two factors that could amplify the nonlinearity — concentration-dependent binding of RHP by plasma proteins, or by red blood cells. In 25 patients with schizophrenia who were taking HP, the unbound fraction of HP (0.085±0.016) and RHP (0.244±0.026) in plasma, and the blood:plasma ratio for each compound were independent of their concentration. Thus, saturable binding of RHP to plasma proteins or red blood cells can be excluded. HP reductase and RHP oxidase activity were measured in human liver cytosol and microsomal fractions, respectively. Because ketone reductase-catalysed formation of RHP is stereospecific, we examined each enantiomer of RHP separately. The V_max for the oxidation of theS(–) andR(+) RHP enantiomers in four livers was 0.23±0.15 and 0.60±0.32 µmol/g protein per min (mean ± SD), respectively The K _m was 110±40 and 70±10 µM, respectively. In contrast, HP reductase activity displayed greater capacity and was not saturable. The rate of production of RHP at a HP concentration of 122 µM (the limit of HP solubility) in the same livers was 2.6±0.7 µmol/g protein per min. Despite the observed nonlinearity between the enzymatic pathways in vitro, RHP concentrations in vivo are 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than the K_m for oxidation of each enantiomer of RHP. Thus, it is unlikely that either saturable oxidation of RHP to HP, or saturable plasma protein or red cell binding account for the nonlinear relationship between steady state concentrations of RHP and HP in vivo.     

Determination of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in the plasma and blood of patients on depot haloperidol

We developed a sensitive HPLC assay to measure haloperidol (HA) and its metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RH), in plasma and whole blood. The conditions under which HA might be converted to RH during collection and analysis of blood were examined. Provided the blood was kept at 0° C, erythrocyte ketone reductase activity was insignificant. The solid phase extraction method did not generate RH. We studied ten patients taking 25–400 mg/month of HA decanoate and one patient for 4 weeks after the daily oral dose of 120 mg HA was ceased. In the patients on depot HA, the plasma and blood concentrations of HA were not significantly different (P>0.1). For the first time, RH was detected in plasma patients on depot drug, but only in three cases. In contrast, RH was present in the blood of eight of these patients. The accumulation of RH in red blood cells was also evident in the patient on oral HA, in whom the mean ratio of RH concentrations in whole blood to plasma was 3.6±1.1. Plasma concentrations of HA correlated highly with total neuroleptic activity measured by a radioreceptor assay. Compared to plasma, analysis of concentrations of HA and RH in blood has the advantages of greater sensitivity, of using smaller volumes of blood and of avoiding the efflux of HA and RH during separation of plasma and red cells.     

Effect of quinidine on the interconversion kinetics between haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in humans: implications for the involvement of cytochrome P450IID6

Summary Haloperidol (HAL) is a potent butyrophenone antipsychotic agent which is reversibly metabolized to reduced haloperidol (RHAL). In order to determine if this reversible metabolic pathway is linked to the debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase isozyme of cytochrome P-450 (P450IID6), HAL (5 mg) or RHAL (5 mg) was orally administered to healthy male volunteers in a randomized crossover design both with and without a prior (1 h) oral dose of quinidine (250 mg bisulfate), a potent inhibitor of this isozyme. Thirteen volunteers, 11 extensive metabolizers, 2 poor metabolizers, completed all four phases of the study. Plasma samples harvested over seven days were analysed for HAL and RHAL. An expression for the apparent fractional availability of metabolite from the parent compound given (Fapp _infm ^supp ) was derived and was used to determine whether HAL or RHAL is the preferred metabolite, and whether quinidine co-administration alters Fapp for either compound.The AUC (0-t) for both HAL and RHAL were significantly greater following the administration of either compound with quinidine compared with AUC (0-t) values obtained in the absence of quinidine. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of the administered compound was also greater following the administration of quinidine. Quinidine had no effect on the half-lives of the administered compounds. The Fapp for HAL and RHAL were not significantly affected by the administration of quinidine, indicating that the interconversion of HAL and RHAL is not linked to P450IID6. The Fapp of RHAL after administration of HAL was significantly greater than the Fapp of HAL after RHAL administration, indicating that RHAL is the preferred metabolic form. This difference was not affected by quinidine.It is concluded that: 1) RHAL is the preferred form after administration of either compound and is not affected by quinidine, 2) the interconversion of HAL and RHAL is not affected by quinidine, indicating that this reversible metabolic process is not linked to P450IID6 and 3) there is a significant increase in the AUC (0-t) and C_max values following quinidine co-administration with either HAL or RHAL. The precise mechanism of this interaction can not be established from this study, however, the observed increases in AUC (0-t) and C_max may be explained with a simple tissue blinding displacement mechanism.     

Brain inflammation enhances 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-evoked neurotoxicity in rats

Experimental Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's disease in humans include a CNS inflammatory component that may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. CNS inflammation produces a loss in cytochrome P450 metabolism and may impair the brain's protection against neurotoxins. We have examined if preexisting inflammation in the brain could increase the toxicity of the dopaminergic toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 25 microg) or saline (control) was injected into the left lateral cerebral ventricle. A single injection of MPP(+) into the median forebrain bundle followed 48 h later and produced a reduction in striatal dopamine content that was dose- and time-dependent. Two-days after 5 microg of MPP(+) was administered, a 90% decrease in striatal dopamine content was observed in saline- and LPS-pretreated rats. However, 4 and 7 days after 5 microg MPP(+) treatment, striatal dopamine recovered up to 70-80% of control values in saline-pretreated rats but remained depressed (80-90%) in rats treated with LPS. These results suggested that CNS inflammation might create an increased risk factor for drug-induced CNS toxicity or chemically mediated Parkinson's disease. The prolonged toxicity of MPP(+) may be due to a decrease in brain cytochrome P450 metabolism that occurs during inflammation. As a second objective for the study, we examined if the CNS lesion produced by MPP(+) altered cytochrome P450 metabolic activity in the liver, kidney, and lung. We have demonstrated a novel mechanism whereby the brain pathology produced by MPP(+) treatment contributes to a reduction in cytochrome P450 metabolism in the kidney but not the liver or lung. Therefore, a chemically evoked CNS disorder with a chronic inflammatory component might have major effects on the renal metabolism of drugs or endogenous substrates.     

Antagonism by haloperidol and its metabolites of mechanical hypersensitivity induced by intraplantar capsaicin in mice: role of sigma-1 receptors

Rationale  We evaluated the effects of haloperidol and its metabolites on capsaicin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity (allodynia) and on nociceptive pain induced by punctate mechanical stimuli in mice. Results  Subcutaneous administration of haloperidol or its metabolites I or II (reduced haloperidol) dose-dependently reversed capsaicin-induced (1 μg, intraplantar) mechanical hypersensitivity of the hind paw (stimulated with a nonpainful, 0.5-g force, punctate stimulus). The order of potency of these drugs to induce antiallodynic effects was the order of their affinity for brain sigma-1 (σ₁) receptor ([³H](+)-pentazocine-labeled). Antiallodynic activity of haloperidol and its metabolites was dose-dependently prevented by the selective σ₁ receptor agonist PRE-084, but not by naloxone. These results suggest the involvement of σ₁ receptors, but discard any role of the endogenous opioid system, on the antiallodynic effects. Dopamine receptor antagonism also appears unlikely to be involved in these effects, since the D₂/D₃ receptor antagonist (−)-sulpiride, which had no affinity for σ₁ receptors, showed no antiallodynic effect. None of these drugs modified hind-paw withdrawal after a painful (4 g force) punctate mechanical stimulus in noncapsaicin-sensitized animals. As expected, the control drug gabapentin showed antiallodynic but not antinociceptive activity, whereas clonidine exhibited both activities and rofecoxib, used as negative control, showed neither. Conclusion  These results show that haloperidol and its metabolites I and II produce antiallodynic but not antinociceptive effects against punctate mechanical stimuli and suggest that their antiallodynic effect may be due to blockade of σ₁ receptors but not to dopamine receptor antagonism.     

Distribution of cardiac glycosides in heart and brain of dogs and their affinity to the (Na++K+)-ATPase

Summary The tissue distribution after repeated intravenous administration of tritium-labelled digoxin, -methyldigoxin and ouabain was examined in heart and brain of 6 beagle dogs. In addition, the (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity was measured in various heart and brain areas, and its affinity to the cardiac glycosides was determined. The glycoside concentrations in the atria are lower than in the ventricles, and the left heart areas show higher concentrations than the right areas. Significant differences in the (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity or its binding capacity in the various heart areas, which could be responsible for this characteristic distribution pattern, were not found. In agreement with its greater lipid-solubility, -methyldigoxin shows a higher accumulation in the brain than digoxin and ouabain. However, while -methyldigoxin is evenly distributed throughout all brain areas, concentration differences are found for digoxin and ouabain in the telencephalon, cerebellum and brain stem. This characteristic distribution of the more polar glycosides may be partly determined by the different structure of the capillaries in the central nervous system. In addition, the binding affinities for digoxin and ouabain also differ in the various crude brain preparations. In the diencephalon, pons, cerebellum and medulla the dissociation constants as a reciprocal measure of the binding affinity were lower for digoxin with 7.5 to 9.9×10^–9 than in the telencephalon, mesencephalon and spinal cord with dissociation constants of 1.1 to 1.45×10^–8 M. Since, in these brain areas higher glycoside concentrations per g wet weight were also measured, the glycoside accumulation in the various brain areas could be dependent on the higher receptor affinity of these brain areas. On the other hand, the binding affinities for -methyldigoxin were the same in all brain areas, with a mean dissociation constant of 1.45×10^–8 M.     

Interaction of carbon tetrachloride and progesterone metabolism in liver microsomes from triacetyloleandomycin-treated rats

The production of progesterone metabolites by rat liver microsomes from TAO-treated rats was investigated. More than ten metabolites could be identified, including various dihydroxy-progesterones. CCl₄ co-incubation modifies the P-450-dependent progesterone metabolite profile in a remarkable fashion without production of CCl₄ progesterone adducts.Dedicated to Professor Dr. med. Herbert Remmer on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

19F NMR as a powerful technique for the assay of anti-psychotic drug haloperidol in human serum and pharmaceutical formulations

19F nuclear magnetic resonance was used as a suitable analytical tool for the identification and selective determination of haloperidol in human serum and pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on the integration of appropriate signals of haloperidol and trifluoroacetic acid as an internal standard. The proposed method is a rapid and facile, while without any sample pretreatment, manipulation of large samples and lengthy instrument time. The regression equation for haloperidol in human serum showed a good linearity in the range of 60-600 microg ml(-1) with a detection limit of 1.4 microg ml(-1). The mean recovery results on human serum samples ranged from about 96-103%, with relative standard deviations <8%. The method was also applied successfully to the determination of haloperidol in real pharmaceutical samples, and compared with the results obtained by a reference method. The drug's degradation was studied by the proposed method in hydrochloric acid media and main products were identified.     

Comparative aromatic hydroxylation and N-demethylation of MPTP neurotoxin and its analogs, N-methylated beta-carboline and isoquinoline alkaloids, by human cytochrome P450 2D6

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxin is a chemical inducer of Parkinson's disease (PD) whereas N-methylated beta-carbolines and isoquinolines are naturally occurring analogues of MPTP involved in PD. This research has studied the oxidation of MPTP by human CYP2D6 (CYP2D6*1 and CYP2D6*10 allelic variants) as well as by a mixture of cytochrome P450s-resembling HLM, and the products generated compared with those afforded by human monoamine oxidase (MAO-B). MPTP was efficiently oxidized by CYP2D6 to two main products: MPTP-OH (p-hydroxylation) and PTP (N-demethylation), with turnover numbers of 10.09 min-1 and Km of 79.36+/-3 microM (formation of MPTP-OH) and 18.95 min-1 and Km 69.6+/-2.2 microM (PTP). Small amounts of dehydrogenated toxins MPDP+ and MPP+ were also detected. CYP2D6 competed with MAO-B for the oxidation of MPTP. MPTP oxidation by MAO-B to MPDP+ and MPP+ toxins (bioactivation) was up to 3-fold higher than CYP2D6 detoxification to PTP and MPTP-OH. Several N-methylated beta-carbolines and isoquinolines were screened for N-demethylation (detoxification) that was not significantly catalyzed by CYP2D6 or the P450s mixture. In contrast, various beta-carbolines were efficiently hydroxylated to hydroxy-beta-carbolines by CYP2D6. Thus, N(2)-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (a close MPTP analog) was highly hydroxylated to 6-hydroxy-N(2)-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline and a corresponding 7-hydroxy-derivative. Thus, CYP2D6 could participate in the bioactivation and/or detoxification of these neuroactive compounds by an active hydroxylation pathway. The CYP2D6*1 enzymatic variant exhibited much higher metabolism of both MPTP and N(2)-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline than the CYP2D6*10 variant, highlighting the importance of CYP2D6 polymorphism in the oxidation of these toxins. Altogether, these results suggest that CYP2D6 can play an important role in the metabolic outcome of both MPTP and beta-carbolines.     

Pharmacological comparison of the sigma recognition site labelled by [3H]haloperidol in human and rat cerebellum

Summary The radioligand binding characteristics of [³H]haloperidol (in the presence of spiperone, 25 nmolL^–1) were investigated in rat and human cerebellar membranes.In both rat and human cerebellar membrane preparations saturation studies with [³H]haloperidol (non-specific binding defined by pentazocine, 10 molL^–1) demonstrated high affinity saturable specific binding to a homogenous population of binding sites (rat, Bmax 6693 ± 1242 fmol mg^–1 protein, pK_D 8.33 ± 0.08; human, Bmax 2550 ± 437 fmol mg^–1 protein, pK_D 8.59 ± 0.11; mean ± SEM, n = 3–6). Competition studies employing a wide range of structurally diverse competing compounds displayed that the [³H]haloperidol binding site was pharmacologically similar in both preparations and comparable to sigma recognition sites previously identified in various tissues originating from different species. In addition, with reference to the potential subtypes of sigma recognition sites, the labelling of these sites by low nanomolar concentrations of [³H]haloperidol provides evidence that they belong to the sigma-1 recognition site subtype.The present findings suggest that the pharmacology of the rat and human cerebellar sigma recognition site are directly comparable and provides further supporting evidence towards the use of [³H]haloperidol radioligand binding studies in the rat to detect sigma receptor ligands with potential therapeutic activity. Send offprint requests to: N.M. Barnes at the above address     

The effects of gender, age, ethnicity, and liver cirrhosis on cytochrome P450 enzyme activity in human liver microsomes and inducibility in cultured human hepatocytes

We have measured cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity in nearly 150 samples of human liver microsomes and 64 samples of cryopreserved human hepatocytes, and we have performed induction studies in over 90 preparations of cultured human hepatocytes. We have analyzed these data to examine whether the expression of CYP enzyme activity in liver microsomes and isolated hepatocytes or the inducibility of CYP enzymes in cultured hepatocytes is influenced by the gender, age, or ethnicity of the donor (the latter being limited to Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanics due to a paucity of livers from Asian donors). In human liver microsomes, there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in CYP activity as a function of age, gender, or ethnicity with one exception. 7-Ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (CYP1A2) activity was greater in males than females, which is consistent with clinical observation. Liver microsomal testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase (CYP3A4) activity was slightly greater in females than males, but the difference was not significant. However, in cryopreserved human hepatocytes, the gender difference in CYP3A4 activity (females = twice males) did reach statistical significance, which supports the clinical observation that females metabolize certain CYP3A4 substrates faster than do males. Compared with those from Caucasians and African Americans, liver microsomes from Hispanics had about twice the average activity of CYP2A6, CYP2B6, and CYP2C8 and half the activity of CYP1A2, although this apparent ethnic difference may be a consequence of the relatively low number of Hispanic donors. Primary cultures of hepatocytes were treated with beta-naphthoflavone, an inducer of CYP1A2, phenobarbital or rifampin, both of which induce CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4, albeit it to different extents. Induction of these CYP enzymes in freshly cultured hepatocytes did not appear to be influenced by the gender or age of the donor. Furthermore, CYP3A4 induction in hepatocytes isolated from cirrhotic liver was comparable to that in normal hepatocytes, which supports the "healthy hepatocyte, sick environment" hypothesis of liver cirrhosis. This review summarizes these findings and discusses their implications for the use of human liver microsomes and hepatocytes for in vitro studies of drug metabolism and enzyme induction, which play a key role in drug development.     

Drug inhibition indicates a single-site model of the 5-HT uptake site/antidepressant binding site in rat and human brain

Drug inhibition against [³H]paroxetine binding to rat cortex and human putamen was investigated in saturation experiments. The addition of 5-HT, imipramine, citalopram and clomipramine all produced changes in apparent binding affinity (K_d) without changes in the number of binding sites (B_max). These data suggest that there is no heterogeneity of specific [³H]paroxetine binding, supporting a single site model of the 5-HT uptake site and antidepressant binding site.     

In vitro liver metabolism of aclidinium bromide in preclinical animal species and humans: identification of the human enzymes involved in its oxidative metabolism

The metabolism of aclidinium bromide, a novel long-acting antimuscarinic drug for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, has been investigated in liver microsomes and hepatocytes of mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and humans. Due to the rapid hydrolysis of this ester compound, two distinct radiolabeled forms of aclidinium were studied. The main biotransformation route of aclidinium was the hydrolytic cleavage of the ester moiety, resulting in the formation of the alcohol metabolite (M2, LAS34823) and carboxylic acid metabolite (m3, LAS34850), which mainly occurred non-enzymatically. By comparison, the oxidative metabolism was substantially lower and the metabolite profiles were similar across all five species examined. Aclidinium was metabolized oxidatively to four minor primary metabolites that were identified as monohydroxylated derivatives of aclidinium at the phenyl (M4) and glycolyl (m6 and m7) moieties of the molecule. The NADPH-dependent metabolite m4 involved the loss of one of the thiophene rings of aclidinium. Incubations with human recombinant P450 isoforms and inhibition studies with selective chemical inhibitors and antibodies of human P450 enzymes demonstrated that the oxidative metabolism of aclidinium is primarily mediated by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Additionally, up to eight secondary metabolites were also characterized, involving further hydrolysis, oxidation, or glucuronidation of the primary metabolites. Also, the liver oxidative metabolism of the alcohol metabolite (LAS34823) resulted in the production of one hydroxylated metabolite (M1) mediated by human CYP2D6, whereas the acid metabolite (LAS34850) was not metabolized enzymatically, although a minor non-enzymatic and NADPH-dependent reduction was observed.     

Time course of MPTP toxicity on translational control protein expression in mice brain

The present study investigated in mice brain, the time course of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity on the expression of translational control proteins.     

Effects of acetaminophen on reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide redox signaling in kidney of arsenic-exposed rats

We examined whether acetaminophen could alter renal oxidative stress induced by arsenic; also whether withdrawal of acetaminophen treatment can increase susceptibility of kidney to arsenic toxicity. Acetaminophen (400 and 1600 mg/kg) was co-administered orally to rats for 3 days after preexposure to arsenic (25 ppm) for 28 days (Phase-I) and thereafter, acetaminophen was withdrawn, but arsenic exposure was continued for another 28 days (Phase-II). Acetaminophen enhanced arsenic-induced lipid peroxidation, GSH depletion and ROS production and further decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. Increased peroxidation did not alter kidney weight, but increased serum urea nitrogen and creatinine. Arsenic did not alter basal, iNOS-mediated NO production or iNOS expression. Arsenic decreased cNOS-mediated NO release and eNOS expression in Phase-II. Acetaminophen increased their expressions and NO production in Phase-I. In Phase-II, arsenic-mediated effects on NO remained mostly unaffected with acetaminophen. Results reveal that acetaminophen enhanced the risk of arsenic-mediated oxidative stress in kidney. Discontinuation of acetaminophen administration also increased the susceptibility of kidney to nephrotoxic effect of arsenic. It appeared ROS were primarily responsible for oxidative stress in both the phases. NO may have a minor role in Phase-I, but does not contribute to redox signaling mechanism in Phase-II.     

In vitro inhibitory effects of asiaticoside and madecassoside on human cytochrome P450

The inhibitory effects and types of inhibition of asiaticoside and madecassoside on human CYPs were studied in vitro using recombinant human CYPs. The median inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of asiaticoside and madecassoside were determined for CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4. Asiaticoside inhibited CYP2C19 (IC₅₀ = 412.68 ± 15.44 μM) and CYP3A4 (IC₅₀ = 343.35 ± 29.35 μM). Madecassoside also inhibited CYP2C19 (IC₅₀ = 539.04 ± 14.18 μM) and CYP3A4 (IC₅₀ = 453.32 ± 39.33 μM). Asiaticoside and madecassoside had no effect on the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 and CYP2E1. Assessment of mechanism-based inhibition and the type of inhibition were performed for asiaticoside and madecassoside with CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. These results suggested that madecassoside is a mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. Assessment of mechanism-based inhibition by asiaticoside was limited by its low solubility. Asiaticoside exhibited non-competitive inhibition of CYP2C19 (K_i = 385.24 ± 8.75 μM) and CYP3A4 (K_i = 535.93 ± 18.99 μM). Madecassoside also showed non-competitive inhibition of CYP2C19 (K_i = 109.62 ± 6.14 μM) and CYP3A4 (K_i = 456.84 ± 16.43 μM). These results suggest that asiaticoside and madecassoside could cause drug-drug interactions via inhibition of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. An in vivo study is needed to examine this further.     

An analysis of the effects of Mn on oxidative phosphorylation in liver, brain, and heart mitochondria using state 3 oxidation rate assays

Manganese (Mn) toxicity is partially mediated by reduced ATP production. We have used oxidation rate assays—a measure of ATP production—under rapid phosphorylation conditions to explore sites of Mn²⁺ inhibition of ATP production in isolated liver, brain, and heart mitochondria. This approach has several advantages. First, the target tissue for Mn toxicity in the basal ganglia is energetically active and should be studied under rapid phosphorylation conditions. Second, Mn may inhibit metabolic steps which do not affect ATP production rate. This approach allows identification of inhibitions that decrease this rate. Third, mitochondria from different tissues contain different amounts of the components of the metabolic pathways potentially resulting in different patterns of ATP inhibition. Our results indicate that Mn²⁺ inhibits ATP production with very different patterns in liver, brain, and heart mitochondria. The primary Mn²⁺ inhibition site in liver and heart mitochondria, but not in brain mitochondria, is the F₁F₀ ATP synthase. In mitochondria fueled by either succinate or glutamate + malate, ATP production is much more strongly inhibited in brain than in liver or heart mitochondria; moreover, Mn²⁺ inhibits two independent sites in brain mitochondria. The primary site of Mn-induced inhibition of ATP production in brain mitochondria when succinate is substrate is either fumarase or complex II, while the likely site of the primary inhibition when glutamate plus malate are the substrates is either the glutamate/aspartate exchanger or aspartate aminotransferase.     

Effects of chitosan oligosaccharides on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver and kidneys

To investigate the effect of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver and kidneys, male Spraque–Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 1% or 3% COS for 5 weeks. The activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, UDP-glucurosyltransferase (UGT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the liver and kidneys were determined. Significant decreases in microsomal CYP3A-catalyzed testosterone 6β-hydroxylation, CYP2C-catalyzed diclofenac 4-hydroxylation, and CYP4A-catalyzed lauric acid 12-hydroxylation in the liver of rats fed the COS diets were observed compared with those rats fed the control diet. Immunoblot analyses of CYP proteins showed the same trend as with enzyme activities. Increased glutathione content in liver was found in rats fed the 1% COS diet. Increased hepatic NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) activity was found in rats fed the COS diets. In kidneys, COS had little or no effect on CYP enzyme activities. However, increased GST activity was observed in rats fed the COS diets. Moreover, a higher UGT activity was found in rats fed the 1% COS diet. Our results indicate that COS may suppress hepatic CYP enzymes and induce phase II detoxifying reactions in the liver and kidneys of rats.