Differences in hepatic expression of genes involved in lipid homeostasis between hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats and healthy Wistar rats and in their response to dietary cholesterol

Differences in expression of mRNA of genes regulating lipid and drug metabolism between hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats (HHTg, accepted model of metabolic syndrome) and healthy Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats were studied. Also, differences in expression due to intake of high cholesterol diet (1% w/w) were determined to investigate possible differences in response of the WKY and HHTg rats to increased intake of dietary cholesterol. Levels of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCG5, ABCG8), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and cytochrome P450 (CYP2C11) mRNA were significantly lower in HHTg rats on standard laboratory diet; in contrary, CYP7A1, CYP2C6 and CYP2B2 gene expression was significantly higher. The WKY rats responded to high cholesterol diet by an increase in expression of mRNAs for sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP1c), CYP2B2 and CYP7A1; lower expression was found in the FAS, ABCG5, ABCG8, CYP4A1, CYP4A2 and acyl-CoA oxidase. HHTg rats responded to cholesterol intake in a similar manner, however, differences were found in expression of the FAS and CYP4A1 mRNA (decrease was not observed), CYP2B2 (decrease instead of an increase). Conclusions: (i) dietary cholesterol significantly influences expression of genes involved in lipid homeostasis and drug metabolism, and (ii) the HHTg rats responded to dietary cholesterol in a different way.     

Taurine ameliorates cholesterol metabolism by stimulating bile acid production in high‐cholesterol‐fed rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary taurine on cholesterol metabolism in high‐cholesterol‐fed rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into two dietary groups (n = 6 in each group): a high‐cholesterol diet containing 0.5% cholesterol and 0.15% sodium cholate, and a high‐cholesterol diet with 5% (w/w) taurine. The experimental diets were given for 2 weeks. Taurine supplementation reduced the serum and hepatic cholesterol levels by 37% and 32%, respectively. Faecal excretion of bile acids was significantly increased in taurine‐treated rats, compared with untreated rats. Biliary bile acid concentrations were also increased by taurine. Taurine supplementation increased taurine‐conjugated bile acids by 61% and decreased glycine‐conjugated bile acids by 53%, resulting in a significant decrease in the glycine/taurine (G/T) ratio. Among the taurine‐conjugated bile acids, cholic acid and deoxycholic acid were significantly increased. In the liver, taurine supplementation increased the mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of hepatic cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the rate‐limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis, by three‐ and two‐fold, respectively. Taurine also decreased the enzymatic activity of acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). These observations suggest that taurine supplementation increases the synthesis and excretion of taurine‐conjugated bile acids and stimulates the catabolism of cholesterol to bile acid by elevating the expression and activity of CYP7A1. This may reduce cholesterol esterification and lipoprotein assembly for very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion, leading to reductions in the serum and hepatic cholesterol levels.     

Hypolipidemic effects of silymarin are not mediated by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha

Silymarin is widely used in supportive therapy of liver diseases. It has been shown lately that silymarin has beneficial effects on some risk factors of atherosclerosis owing to its hypolipidemic properties. PPARα plays a key role in lipid metabolism and homeostasis as its target genes are involved in catabolism of fatty acids by β-oxidation (e.g. acyl-CoA oxidase) and by ω-oxidation (e.g. cytochrome P4504A). Here we studied the possibility that hypolipidemic effects of silymarin may be mediated by PPARα. Rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet with either silymarin or fenofibrate (as a positive control both for PPARα expression as well as for lipid determination) were used. The effects of silymarin on expression of PPARα both at the mRNA (including selected target genes) as well as the protein level were determined. In parallel, the levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerols were determined. Our results confirmed the hypolipidemic effects of silymarin and demonstrated that these effects are probably not mediated by PPARα because of unchanged mRNA levels of PPARα target genes. Furthermore, this work shows for the first time that cholesterol itself inhibits expression of CYP4A mRNA.     

Cistanche tubulosa ethanol extract mediates rat sex hormone levels by induction of testicular steroidgenic enzymes

Context: Plants of the genus Cistanche Hoffmg. et Link (Orobanchaceae) are usually used as ethno-medicine in Eastern Asia. Pharmacology studies have shown that Cistanche possesses an androgen-like effect; however, the exact mechanism is unclear.

Objective: The present study determines the effect of ethanol extract of Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight stem (CTE) on hormone levels and testicular steroidogenic enzymes in rats.

Materials and methods: Phenylethanoid glycoside content of CTE was detected by UV spectrophotometry. Rats were fed with different doses of CTE (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8?g/kg) by intragastric administration for 20?d. Sperm parameters were measured by staining and counting method. The level of progesterone and testosterone in serum was quantified by radioimmunoassay. The expression levels of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1), 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase (CYP17A1), and a liver metabolic enzyme (CYP3A4) in the microsome were assessed by immunohistochemical staining or/and western blot analysis.

Results: The study illustrates that the administration of CTE (0.4 and 0.8?g/kg) increased sperm count (2.3- and 2.7-folds) and sperm motility (1.3- and 1.4-folds) and decreased the abnormal sperm (0.76- and 0.6-folds). The serum level of progesterone and testosterone in rats was also increased by CTE administration (p?<?0.05). Results of immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis confirmed that the expression of CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and CYP3A4 was enhanced by CTE (p?<?0.05). It was also found that high-dose of CTE can cause mild hepatic edema.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that the increase in sex hormone levels could be mediated by the induction of testicular steroidogenic enzymes.     

Poor Correlation Between Intestinal and Hepatic Metabolic Rates of CYP3A4 Substrates in Rats

Purpose. To clarify the contribution of the intestinal first-pass metabolism to the drug bioavailability, the correlation between the intestinal and hepatic metabolism of human CYP3A4 substrates was investigated in rats. Methods. The metabolic rates of four compounds (lidocaine, quinidine, nifedidpine, and rifabutin) were examined with excised intestinal tissues and liver microsomes. The intestinal and hepatic expression of CYP3A1/23 and CYP3A2 was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results. Rifabutin was metabolized fastest, and lidocaine was metabolized slowest in excised intestinal tissues. By contrast, lidocaine was metabolized fastest and rifabutin was the slowest in liver microsomes. The hepatic metabolism of lidocaine was inhibited by a CYP2D6 substrate desipramine, not by a CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole. In addition, members of the CYP3A subfamily expressed in the intestine were different from those expressed in the liver. Conclusions. Poor correlation between the intestinal and hepatic metabolism of human CYP3A4 substrates in rats may be caused by the contribution of the CYP2D subfamily to the drug metabolisms in the liver and also by the unique expression of the CYP3A subfamily in the intestine.     

Effect of silymarin and its polyphenolic fraction on cholesterol absorption in rats.

This study evaluated the influence of silymarin (SM) and polyphenolic fraction (PF) of silymarin on cholesterol absorption in rats fed on high cholesterol diet (HCD). HCD induced a remarkable increase in hepatic, plasma, VLDL and LDL cholesterol, a decrease in HDL cholesterol and an elevation in triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in plasma, VLDL and in the liver. SM and PF were administered as dietary supplements (1.0%) in HCD for 18 days. Intestinal cholesterol absorption was measured by dual-isotope plasma ratio method, which calculates percent of cholesterol absorption from the ratio of two labelled cholesterol doses, one given intragastrically (14C) and one intravenously (3H). Silymarin and PF significantly reduced cholesterol absorption in rats fed on HCD and caused significant decreases in plasma and VLDL cholesterol and content of cholesterol and TAG in the liver. The level of HDL cholesterol was significantly increased after silymarin, but not after administration of PF. The levels of TAG in plasma and VLDL were not affected by either silymarin or PF. These results suggest that the inhibition of cholesterol absorption caused by silymarin and its polyphenolic fraction could be a mechanism contributing to the positive changes in plasma cholesterol lipoprotein profile and in lipid content in liver.     

Physiological function of ABCG1

Since ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was discovered as the cause of Tangier disease and familial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) deficiency, many investigators have been interested in the relationship between ABC transporters and the mechanism underlying abnormal lipid metabolism. ABCG1 is an ABC half transporter that facilitates efflux excess cholesterol from macrophages. To elucidate the potential physiological role of ABCG1, we have initiated a series of studies overexpressing ABCG1, using an adenovirus vector (rABCG1-Adv) in C57BL mice. Overexpression of ABCG1 in the liver of mice using recombinant ABCG1 vectors results in decreased plasma HDL levels and increased biliary cholesterol excretion, and indicates that ABCG1 can modulate plasma lipoprotein levels in vivo. ABCG1 and the other ABC transporters might play an important role in cholesterol homeostasis, especially in the liver.     

PPARγ overexpression regulates cholesterol metabolism in human L02 hepatocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor (PPAR) γ is a nuclear hormone receptor that regulates glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and adipocyte function. It has been shown that activation of PPARγ can reduce the incidence of gallstone. Herein we aimed to clarify the role of PPARγ in the reduction of gallstones. The plasmid containing the coding sequence of PPARγ was constructed and transfected in the human liver cell line (L02 cells). Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect hydroxyl-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 2 (SREBP2), 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) sterol transporters G5 and G8 (ABCG5, ABCG8) and liver X receptor α (LXRα). The Amplex Red cholesterol assay kit was used to detect the intracellular or extracellular cholesterol level. Our data showed that PPARγ overexpression caused significant decreases in both extracellular and intracellular cholesterol in the L02 cells. The further studies indicated PPARγ overexpression substantially decreased expression of HMGCR and SREBP-2, increased expression of CYP7A1, ABCG5, ABCG8 and LXRα. These results indicated that upregulation of PPARγ may reduce cholesterol levels through multiple-pathways including HMGCR/SREBP2-mediated biosynthesis, CYP7A1-mediated transformation, and ABCG5/ABCG8-mediated efflux. We thus suggest that PPARγ might have beneficial effects for cholesterol gallstones diseases.     

Hypolipidemic effects of silymarin are not mediated by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha

Silymarin is widely used in supportive therapy of liver diseases. It has been shown lately that silymarin has beneficial effects on some risk factors of atherosclerosis owing to its hypolipidemic properties. PPARalpha plays a key role in lipid metabolism and homeostasis as its target genes are involved in catabolism of fatty acids by beta-oxidation (e.g. acyl-CoA oxidase) and by omega-oxidation (e.g. cytochrome P4504A). Here we studied the possibility that hypolipidemic effects of silymarin may be mediated by PPARalpha. Rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet with either silymarin or fenofibrate (as a positive control both for PPARalpha expression as well as for lipid determination) were used. The effects of silymarin on expression of PPARalpha both at the mRNA (including selected target genes) as well as the protein level were determined. In parallel, the levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerols were determined. Our results confirmed the hypolipidemic effects of silymarin and demonstrated that these effects are probably not mediated by PPARalpha because of unchanged mRNA levels of PPARalpha target genes. Furthermore, this work shows for the first time that cholesterol itself inhibits expression of CYP4A mRNA.     

Effects of Phyllanthus amarus on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam and cytochrome P450 activities in rats

1. Phyllanthus amarus, a commonly used medicinal herb, was investigated for possible herb–drug interactions. The effect on CYP3A-mediated drug metabolism in rats after single dose administration of P. amarus extract was investigated using midazolam (MDZ) as a probe substrate. The effect of multiple dose administration of P. amarus extract on activity and expression of various CYP isoforms were studied.

2. Oral administration of P. amarus extract (800?mg/kg) 1?h before oral MDZ increased the C_max and AUC_0–-∞ of MDZ by 3.9- and 9.6-fold and decreased the clearance by 12%, but did not alter the pharmacokinetics of intravenous MDZ.

3. Daily administration of P. amarus extract (200 or 800?mg/kg/day) for 15 days in rats increased the activity and expression of CYP3A and CYP2B1/2. In contrast, the activities and expressions of CYP1A, CYP2C and CYP2E1 were not significantly changed.

4. The dual effects of P. amarus extract on CYP enzymes were demonstrated. Single dose administration of the extract increased oral bioavailability of MDZ through inhibition of intestinal CYP3A whereas repeated administration of the extract slightly induced hepatic CYP3A and CYP2B1/2 in rats, which suggested that herb–drug interactions by P. amarus may potentially occur via CYP3A and 2B.

     

Fenofibrate-induced decrease of expression of CYP2C11 and CYP2C6 in rat

This short communication is aimed to investigate whether the widely used hypolipidemic drug fenofibrate affects CYP2C11 and CYP2C6 in rats, both counterparts of human CYP2C9, known to metabolise many drugs including S-warfarin and largely used non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and others. The effects of fenofibrate on the expression of rat liver CYP2C11 and CYP2C6 were studied in both healthy Wistar rats and hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats. Both strains of rats were fed on diet containing fenofibrate (0.1% w/w) for 20 days. Fenofibrate highly significantly suppressed the expression of mRNA of CYP2C11 and less that of CYP2C6 in liver microsomes of both rat strains; this effect was associated with a corresponding decrease in protein levels. The results indicate that the combination of fenofibrate with drugs metabolised by CYP2C9 in humans should be taken with caution as it may lead, for example, to the potentiation of warfarin effects. This type of drug interaction has been observed previously and the results presented here could contribute to the explanation of their mechanism.     

Species differences in hepatic and intestinal metabolic activities for 43 human cytochrome P450 substrates between humans and rats or dogs

Abstract

1. Prediction of human pharmacokinetics might be made more precise by using species with similar metabolic activities to humans. We had previously reported the species differences in intestinal and hepatic metabolic activities of 43 cytochrome P450 (CYP) substrates between cynomolgus monkeys and humans. However, the species differences between humans and rats or dogs had not yet been determined using comparable data sets with sufficient number of compounds.

2. Here, we investigated metabolic stabilities in intestinal and liver microsomes obtained from rats, dogs and humans using 43 substrates of human CYP1A2, CYP2J2, CYP2C, CYP2D6 and CYP3A.

3. Hepatic intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values for most compounds in dogs were comparable to those in humans (within 10-fold), whereas in rats, those for the human CYP2D6 substrates were much higher and showed low correlation with humans. In dog intestine, as with human intestine, CL_int values for almost all human CYP1A2, CYP2C, CYP2D6 substrates were not determined because they were very low. Intestinal CL_int values for human CYP3A substrates in rats and dogs appeared to be lower for most of the compounds and showed moderate correlation with those in humans.

4. In conclusion, dogs showed the most similar metabolic activity to humans.     

Faster clearance of omeprazole in mutant Nagase analbuminemic rats: possible roles of increased protein expression of hepatic CYP1A2 and lower plasma protein binding

It is well known that there are various changes in the expression of hepatic and intestinal CYPs in mutant Nagase analbuminemic rats (NARs). It has been reported that the protein expression of hepatic CYP1A2 was increased, whereas that of hepatic CYP3A1 was not altered, and it was also found that the protein expression of the intestinal CYP1A subfamily significantly increased in NARs from our other study. In addition, in this study additional information about CYP changes in NARs was obtained; the protein expression of the hepatic CYP2D subfamily was not altered, but that of the intestinal CYP3A subfamily increased in NARs. Because omeprazole is metabolized via hepatic CYP1A1/2, 2D1, 3A1/2 in rats, it could be expected that the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole would be altered in NARs. After intravenous administration of omeprazole to NARs, the Cl_nr was significantly faster than in the controls (110 versus 46.6 ml/min/kg), and this could be due to an increase in hepatic metabolism caused by a greater hepatic CYP1A2 level in addition to greater free fractions of the drug in NARs. After oral administration of omeprazole to NARs, the AUC was also significantly smaller (80.1% decrease) and F was decreased in NARs. This could be primarily due to increased hepatic and intestinal metabolism caused by greater hepatic CYP1A2 and intestinal CYP1A and 3A levels. In particular, the smaller F could mainly result from greater hepatic and intestinal first‐pass effect in NARs than in the controls. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of ginsenosides on the expression of cytochrome P450s and transporters involved in cholesterol metabolism

An extract from red ginseng (steamed and dried roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer; RGE) has been shown to promote cholesterol metabolism in the liver. We have reported that RGE induced the hepatic expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP)7A1, involved in cholesterol metabolism. Other cholesterol metabolism-related proteins, such as CYP8B1, CYP27A1, multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP)2, MRP3, and Na⁺ taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), are involved in cholesterol metabolism. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether RGE affected mRNA expression of cholesterol metabolism-related CYPs and transporters in the liver of hypercholesterolemic rats and rat primary hepatocytes. In-vivo studies showed little differences in CYP8B1, CYP27A1, MRP2, MRP3, and NTCP mRNA expression levels between hypercholesterolemic rats with or without RGE treatments. However, the disruption of the membrane localization of MRP2 was suppressed by RGE treatments in hypercholesterolemic rats. In-vitro studies using rat primary hepatocytes showed upregulation of CYP8B1 and MRP2 mRNA by the addition of RGE (100 and 500 μg/mL). We further examined which ginsenosides contributed to the upregulation of CYP8B1 and MRP2 mRNA levels. Ginsenoside Re enhanced the mRNA level of CYP8B1, whereas ginsenosides Rb₂ and Rg₂ enhanced MRP2 mRNA levels. These results suggest that the in-vitro exposure of hepatocytes to RGE or some ginsenosides could lead to upregulation of CYP8B1 and MRP2, resulting in the alteration of biosynthesis and disposition of bile acids.     

Pharmacokinetics of verapamil in diabetic rats induced by combination of high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection

1. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of type 2 diabetes on the pharmacokinetics of verapamil after intravenous administration.

2. Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats were induced by combination of high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin. Plasma concentrations of verapamil in DM rats, rats fed with HFD, and control (CON) rats were measured after intravenous administration of 1?mg/kg verapamil and corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. Area under the plasma concentration in DM rats was significantly smaller than that in CON rats.

3. In vitro microsomal study showed that intrinsic clearance of verapamil in DM rats was significantly higher than those in CON rats. Compared to CON rats, higher intrinsic clearance was also observed in HFD rats. Western blot results demonstrated higher levels of CYP3A2 in DM and HFD rats, which was in line to activity of CYP3A.

4. All the results gave a conclusion that diabetes may enhance metabolism of verapamil in rat, and the enhancement may partly result from induction of CYP3A.

     

Effects of Guanxinning injection on rat cytochrome P450 isoforms activities in vivo and in vitro

Abstract

1. We aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of Guanxinning injection (GXNI) on activities of cytochrome P1A2 (CYP1A2), CYP2C11, CYP2D1 and CYP3A1/2 by probe drugs in rats in vivo and in vitro.

2. GXNI-treated and blank control groups were administered GXNI and physiological saline by caudal vein for 14 days consecutively, then they were given the probe drugs of caffeine (10?mg/kg), tolbutamide (10?mg/kg), metoprolol (20?mg/kg) and dapsone (10?mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. The blood samples were collected at different times for ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis. Changes of the pharmacokinetics parameters between the GXNI-treated and the blank control groups were used to evaluate the effects of GXNI on the four CYP450 isoforms in rats in vivo. After blood collection, the livers of rats were taken and made microsomes for in vitro tests. The relevant metabolites of phenacetin, tolbutamide, dextromethorphan and testosterone were analyzed quantitatively by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after microsome incubation. The statistical differences between the two groups were observed to detect the effects of GXNI on the four CYP450 isoforms in rats in vitro.

3. The in vivo and in vitro results demonstrated that GXNI could induce CYP1A2 activity in rats, but had no significant effects on CYP2C11, CYP2D1 and CYP3A1/2.     

Effect of silymarin on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its active metabolite E-3174 in healthy Chinese volunteers

Purpose  To investigate the effects of silymarin on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its active metabolite E-3174 and its relationship with CYP2C9 genotypes. Methods  Twelve healthy adult men of known CYP2C9 genotype (six CYP2C9*1/*1 and six CYP2C9*1/*3) were recruited in a two-phase randomized crossover design study. The pharmacokinetics of losartan and E-3174 were measured before and after a 14-day treatment with 140 mg of silymarin three times daily. Results  The area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) of losartan increased significantly following a 14-day silymarin treatment in subjects with the CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype, but not in those with the CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype. The AUC of E-3174 decreased significantly with a silymarin pretreatment in both CYP2C9*1/*1 and the CYP2C9*1/*3 subjects. The metabolic ratio of losartan (ratio of of E-3174 to of losartan) decreased significantly after a 14-day treatment with silymarin in individuals with the CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype (p < 0.05), but not in those with the CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype (p = 0.065). Conclusion  Silymarin inhibits the metabolism of losartan to E-3174, with the magnitude of the interaction differing in individuals with different CYP2C9 genotypes.     

钝化NF-κB的活化对酒精性肝损伤大鼠CYP3A的影响

目的研究核转录因子-κB(nuclear fastor kappa B,NF-κB)在酒精性肝损伤大鼠模型中的作用及对细胞色素P4503A(cytochrome P450 3A,CYP3A)代谢活力的影响。方法采用白酒灌胃法复制大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型,肝脏组织HE染色和血清中ALT和AST水平测定观测大鼠肝损伤情况,采用免疫组化法检测肝脏NF-κB的蛋白表达,通过HPLC法检测CYP3A的探针药物咪哒唑仑的血浆药物浓度,采用热板法观察大鼠舔足反应来体现咪哒唑仑的代谢情况,从而反映咪哒唑仑特异性代谢酶CYP3A的代谢活力。结果酒精性肝损伤模型组表现为轻度脂肪变性和炎症坏死,NF-κB明显活化,CYP3A代谢活力增强(P<0.05);钝化NF-κB的活化后,肝脏脂肪变性程度明显减轻,CYP3A代谢活力下调(P<0.05)。结论钝化NF-κB活化,可以减轻酒精性肝损伤的程度,并下调酒精性肝损伤导致的CYP3A代谢活性的增强。