Effect of cannabidiol on cytochrome P-450 isozymes

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to inhibit mouse hepatic mixed-function oxidations of several drugs after acute treatment, whereas repetitive treatment resulted in the restoration of drug-metabolizing capabilities. We have found that acute CBD treatment modestly decreased cytochrome P-450 content but markedly decreased hexobarbital hydroxylase, erythromycin N-demethylase, and 6 beta-testosterone hydroxylase activities. Repetitive CBD treatment, on the other hand, resulted in the restoration of cytochrome P-450 content as well as hexobarbital hydroxylase and erythromycin N-demethylase activities. However, after such repeated treatments a fresh dose of CBD can once again inactivate erythromycin N-demethylase activity but not hexobarbital hydroxylase activity. The resistance of hexobarbital hydroxylase to re-inactivation by CBD was paralleled by stimulation of pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity and the appearance of a 50 kD protein that was immunoreactive to an antibody raised against rat hepatic cytochrome P-450b. CBD metabolism in vitro by microsomes prepared from such CBD-"induced" animals, resulted in a pattern of metabolites different from that observed from comparable incubations with liver microsomes from either untreated or phenobarbital-treated animals. Thus, it appears that CBD initially inactivates at least one cytochrome P-450 isozyme, but after repetitive CBD treatment, an isozyme is induced that is resistant to further re-inactivation by CBD. This isozyme appears to be immunochemically similar to, but somewhat functionally distinct from, the isozyme induced by phenobarbital treatment in mice.     

Purification and characterization of a mouse liver cytochrome P-450 induced by cannabidiol

A cytochrome P-450 isozyme (Mr = 51,600) was purified to apparent homogeneity from hepatic microsomes of mice pretreated with cannabidiol (CBD), a major constituent of marijuana. The isozyme exhibited high pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase, hexobarbital hydroxylase, and 16 alpha- and 16 beta-testosterone hydroxylase activities and formed a Fe+2-metyrapone complex, properties characteristic of the major hepatic cytochrome P-450s previously purified from phenobarbital (PB)-pretreated animals. In addition, the CBD-induced cytochrome P-450 was immunoreactive with an antibody raised against the major rat hepatic PB-inducible cytochrome P-450 and exhibited an NH2-terminal amino acid sequence greater than 90% homologous with that of the PB-inducible rat liver isozyme. Because of the many similarities between the CBD-induced isozyme and certain other isozymes previously purified from PB-pretreated animals, a cytochrome P-450 isozyme was purified from PB-pretreated mice by a chromatographic procedure similar to that employed for purification of the CBD-induced isozyme. The PB-inducible isozyme was indistinguishable from the CBD-inducible cytochrome P-450 on the bases of apparent molecular weight, absorption spectra, NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, peptide mapping, immunoreactivity, and catalytic activity. Although the CBD- and PB-inducible P-450 isozymes appear to be qualitatively very similar, PB appears to be a quantitatively better inducer of the isozyme. Thus, CBD exposure results in the induction of an isozyme that is refractory to CBD-mediated inactivation, thereby apparently altering the cytochrome P-450 isozymal composition of mouse hepatic microsomes.     

Purification and characterization of the major hepatic cannabinoid hydroxylase in the mouse: a possible member of the cytochrome P-450IIC subfamily

Acute cannabidiol treatment of mice inactivated hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450IIIA (P-450IIIA) and markedly inhibited in vitro cannabinoid metabolism. Antibodies raised against purified P-450IIIA inhibited the microsomal formation of quantitatively minor cannabinoid metabolites but had no effect on the major metabolites. Cannabinoid hydroxylation to the major metabolites was used as a functional probe to isolate and purify a P-450 (termed P-450THC) from hepatic microsomes of untreated mice. The purified protein had an apparent molecular weight of 47,000 and a specific content of 15.4 nmol/mg and exhibited an absorbance maximum at 452 nm for the reduced carbon monoxide complex. NH2-terminal sequence analysis of the first 16 residues of P-450THC suggests that it is a member of the P-450IIC subfamily, because its sequence is 85 and 69% identical to published sequences of rat hepatic P-450IIC7 and P-450IIC6, respectively. P-450THC exhibited high activity for cannabinoid hydroxylation and specifically produced 6 alpha- and 7-hydroxy-delta 1-tetrahydrocannabinol, as well as 6 alpha-, 7-, and 4"-hydroxycannabidiol. Unlike anti-P-450IIIA antibody, antibody raised against purified P-450THC markedly inhibited the microsomal formation of all major cannabinoid metabolites. Similar immunoinhibition studies also revealed the existence of orthologs of mouse P-450THC and P-450IIIA in human liver microsomes. Thus, cannabidiol treatment of mice resulted in the inactivation of at least two constitutive P-450 isozymes, which together account for the majority of the detected cannabinoid metabolites.     

Interferon down regulates the male-specific cytochrome P450IIIA2 in rat liver.

The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism by which cytochrome P450 (P450)-mediated catalytic activity is decreased following interferon (IFN) administration. Microsomal steroid hydroxylation was assessed to test the hypothesis that IFN selectively decreases the activities of individual P450 isozymes in male rats. Thus, recombinant rat IFN gamma (r-rat IFN gamma) treatment produced 40% and 17% reductions in androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (androstenedione) 6 beta- and 16 beta-hydroxylation, respectively. Androstenedione 16 alpha- and 7 alpha-hydroxylation were unaltered following r-rat IFN gamma treatment. Similar changes in the androstenedione hydroxylation pathways were observed following administration of naturally derived rat IFN alpha/beta. Microsomal levels of P450IIIA2, the male-specific constitutive steroid 6 beta-hydroxylase, were lower after administration of r-rat IFN gamma (42% of control fractions). Furthermore, hepatic P450IIIA2 mRNA was found to be decreased to a similar extent by r-rat IFN gamma. These findings suggest that IFN selectively decreases the content of this isozyme by a mechanism involving altered mRNA regulation. Sex steroids were unlikely to have mediated the decrease in P450IIIA2 levels since serum estradiol and testosterone levels were unchanged by r-rat IFN gamma. In order to determine whether IFN alters the expression of P450IIIA1, a steroid-inducible member of the P450IIIA gene subfamily which is not expressed in untreated rat liver, adult female rats (which lack P450IIIA2) were coadministered pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile and r-rat IFN gamma. However, IFN failed to impair the induction of androstenedione 6 beta-hydroxylation produced by pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile. These findings suggest that although IFN decreases the expression of P450IIIA2, it may not down regulate the expression of other steroid-inducible P450IIIA proteins. In view of the existence of human P450IIIA orthologs which catalyze the metabolism of several important therapeutic agents, the findings of this study may help predict possible drug interactions in patients receiving IFN.     

Effects of a series of 4-alkyl analogues of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine on the major inducible cytochrome P-450 isozymes of rat liver

Various 4-alkyl analogues of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (DDC) cause mechanism-based inactivation of cytochrome P-450 (P-450) by destroying the heme prosthetic group. We have examined the isozyme selectivity of representative DDC analogues with respect to the major inducible P-450 isozymes of rat liver. Hepatic microsomes from untreated, phenobarbital (PB)-treated, beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF)-treated, and dexamethasone (DEX)-treated rats were incubated with a DDC analogue and NADPH and were subsequently analyzed for P-450 and heme content, P-450 isozyme immunoreactivity, and enzyme activity. Compared with the uninduced state, 4-isopropyl-DDC caused slightly less P-450 destruction following beta NF induction and much greater destruction following DEX pretreatment. Also, 4-hexyl-DDC was found to cause less P-450 destruction following PB or DEX pretreatment, compared with results obtained with untreated rats. These results suggest that DDC analogues possess different isozyme selectivity profiles. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the major inducible isozymes of P-450 were used to probe Western blots of microsomal protein following DDC analogue treatment. The formation of lower molecular mass (45-55 kDa) immunoreactive proteins in microsomes from beta NF-treated rats following DDC analogue treatment was revealed by two MAbs (1-31-2 and 1-36-1), suggesting that the apoprotein of the major beta NF-inducible isozyme, P-450c, is subject to alteration by DDC analogues. In microsomes from DEX-treated rats, DDC analogues caused the formation of higher molecular mass (80, 94, and 115 kDa) proteins showing immunoreactivity with MAb 2-13-1, directed against a major DEX-inducible isozyme belonging to the P-450p family. These immunochemical findings are supported by the demonstration that DDC analogues also caused mechanism-based inhibition of the catalytic activity of P-450c (7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase) and P-450p (erythromycin N-demethylase) but not that of the major PB-inducible isozyme, P-450b (7-pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase). The combined immunochemical and enzymic studies indicate that rat liver P-450 c and p are targets for mechanism-based inactivation by DDC analogues.     

Identification of the rabbit and human cytochromes P-450IIIA as the major enzymes involved in the N-demethylation of diltiazem

Oxidative metabolism of diltiazem (DTZ), a calcium channel blocker, was investigated in rabbit and human liver microsomes as well as in primary cultures of human hepatocytes. DTZ N-demethylation, the major metabolic pathway in man, was strongly increased by treatment of animals, patients, and hepatocyte cultures with rifampicin and other inducers of the P-450IIIA subfamily. In a reconstituted system with purified forms of P-450 and NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase, P-450IIIA7 exhibited the highest DTZ N-demethylase activity. In both rabbit and human liver microsomes, this activity was highly correlated with erythromycin demethylase, a characteristic substrate of P-450IIIA, or with an immunoquantitated level of P-450IIIA, and was specifically inhibited by anti-P-450IIIA7 polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Cyclosporin A, another specific substrate of P-450IIIA in rabbit and human, competitively inhibited DTZ N-demethylase in both species. In primary cultures of human hepatocytes treated with various inducers, including rifampicin, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone or beta-naphthoflavone, the rate of release of N-demethyl-DTZ in the extracellular medium was highly correlated with the intracellular level of P-450IIIA, which appeared to be strongly induced by rifampicin and phenobarbital and to a lesser extent by dexamethasone and phenylbutazone. In aggregate, these results are consistent with the view that in both rabbit and human, cytochromes P-450 from the P-450IIIA subfamily are the major enzymes involved in the N-demethylation of DTZ. Accordingly, drugs which may be specific substrates or inducers of this P-450 are likely to influence both the side effects and the efficacy of this molecule.     

Identification of the antibiotic hops component, colupulone, as an inducer of hepatic cytochrome P-4503A in the mouse.

A higher level of cytochrome P-450 (P450)-dependent ethylmorphine (EM) N-demethylase activity was observed in hepatic microsomes from mice fed a natural-ingredient diet ("crude diet") than in those from mice fed a semi-purified diet ("purified diet"). This led to the testing of individual ingredients of the crude diet as inducers of the P-450 system. Brewers yeast proved to be the most significant inductive component of the crude diet. Further investigation revealed that hop components (lupulones) absorbed on yeast during the brewing process were responsible for the induction of the P-450 system. The induction of P-450 and several P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities (EM N-demethylation, aniline hydroxylation, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation) by colupulone with respect to dose and time course were investigated. The very large increase in EM N-demethylase activity elicited by colupulone suggested that P-4503A had been induced. Western blot technology verified this speculation. Western blot analysis of microsomal protein from mice fed hops, brewers yeast, or the residue of a hexane extract of hops supported the conclusion that all of these substances induced P-4503A. These substances were also relatively good inducers of P-4502B, but not as inductive of this isozyme as the crude diet. This is interpreted to mean that not all of the inductive properties of the crude diet are due to hop components. These studies question the use of crude commercial diets in studies of P-450 systems. They may also challenge some current definitions of "constitutive" and "induced" P-450s.     

Rat lung and liver cytochrome P-450 isozymes involved in the hydroxylation of m-xylene

The primary metabolism of m-xylene in rat lung and liver microsomes was investigated. The ratio of side chain to aromatic hydroxylation was found to be approximately 1:1 in lung microsomes from untreated rats and in a reconstituted system containing the major cytochrome P-450 isozyme induced in rat liver by phenobarbital, cytochrome P-450-PB-B2, as compared to 8:1 in liver microsomes. Antibody inhibition studies showed the major importance of cytochrome P-450-PB-B2 for the formation of both primary m-xylene metabolites (3-methylbenzylalcohol and 2,4-dimethylphenol) in lung microsomes. Antibodies to the major cytochrome P-450 isozyme induced in rat liver by beta-naphthoflavone, P-450-BNF-B2, did not inhibit m-xylene metabolism in either liver or lung microsomes from beta-naphthoflavone treated rats although this isozyme efficiently catalyzed m-xylene hydroxylation in a reconstituted system. m-Xylene metabolism by purified P-450-BNF-B2 appeared to cause rapid inactivation of the enzyme.     

Effect of caffeine on the hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system during phenobarbital and benzo[a]pyrene treatment in rats

Simultaneous administration of caffeine (100 mg/kg, i.p., 3 days) and phenobarbital (80 mg/kg, i.p., 3 days) to adult male rats resulted in a significant decrease in hepatic cytochrome P-450 and acetanilide hydroxylase activity, compared to phenobarbital administration alone. While simultaneous administration of caffeine and benzo[a]pyrene (20 mg/kg, i.p., 2 days) increased acetanilide hydroxylase, compared to benzo[a]pyrene administration, no change was seen in the cytochrome P-450 concentration. In vitro addition of 2.5 mM caffeine to microsomal incubations from untreated, phenobarbital- and benzo[a]pyrene-treated rats inhibited aminopyrine N-demethylase activity. No significant difference was seen in the extent of aminopyrine N-demethylase inhibition due to the in vitro addition of caffeine to microsomes from untreated or phenobarbital-treated rats, whereas inhibition in microsomes from benzo[a]pyrene-treated rats was greater.     

Effects of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase inducers on mouse hepatic microsomal metabolism of testosterone and alkoxyresorufins

The effects of treatment with phenobarbital, 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene (TCPOBOP), pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and isosafrole on the hepatic microsomal formation of nine monohydroxy metabolites of testosterone and the O-dealkylation of the ethyl and pentyl ethers of resourfin were evaluated in adult male C57BL/6J and DBA/2NCR mice. In both strains, phenobarbital, TCPOBOP and PCN induced testosterone 2 beta-, 6 beta-, 15 beta- and 16 beta-hydroxylases up to 5-fold, while phenobarbital and TCPOBOP increased the rate of dealkylation of pentoxyresorufin by approximately 30-fold. However, phenobarbital and TCPOBOP did not exhibit identical patterns of induction for the testosterone oxidation reactions. Hepatic microsomes from C57BL/6J mice treated with TCPOBOP displayed a depression in 6 alpha-testosterone hydroxylase activity, which was also observed in PCN-treated animals, whereas phenobarbital-treated mice exhibited an elevation in this monooxygenase activity. A dose of TCPOBOP (0.5 mumol/kg) previously demonstrated to represent an ED50 for mouse aminopyrine N-demethylase activity was also found to approximate the ED50 for pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity in the C57BL/6J mouse. Isosafrole or 3-MC treatment had little effect on testosterone metabolism or pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity in either strain, while 3-MC induced ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity in C57BL/6J but not DBA/2NCR mice. This study confirms that TCPOBOP is a potent cytochrome P-450 inducer which most closely resembles phenobarbital in its mode of action. However, TCPOBOP and phenobarbital do not evoke identical modulations of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases in mice.     

Rat lung and liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes involved in the hydroxylation of n-hexane

The primary metabolism of n-hexane in rat lung and liver microsomes was investigated. In liver microsomes from untreated animals the formation of each of the metabolites, 1-, 2- and 3-hexanol, was best described kinetically by a two-enzyme system, whereas for lung microsomes a one-enzyme system was indicated for each metabolite. Cytochrome P-450-PB-B, the major cytochrome P-450 isozyme induced in rat liver by phenobarbital, appeared to be responsible for the formation of 2- and 3-hexanol in lung microsomes from untreated rats as judged by antibody inhibition studies. The presence of this isozyme was confirmed by immunoblotting. In contrast, formation of 1-hexanol in rat lung was catalyzed by a cytochrome P-450 isozyme different from the major isozymes induced by either phenobarbital or beta-naphthoflavone. Similarly, formation of 2,5-hexanediol from 2-hexanol was catalyzed by a P-450 isozyme different from cytochrome P-450-PB-B and present in liver but not in lung microsomes. Furthermore, alcohol dehydrogenase activity with hexanols or hexanediol as the substrate was found exclusively in liver cytosol. These results suggest that inhaled n-hexane must be transported to the liver either intact or in the form of 2-hexanol before the neurotoxic metabolite 2,5-hexanedione can be formed.     

In vitro formation of an inhibitory complex between an isosafrole metabolite and rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 PB-B

A series of in vitro studies was performed, in rat liver microsomes, in which metabolite intermediate (MI) complexation of cytochrome P-450 (P-450) by the methylenedioxyphenyl compound isosafrole was related to P-450 isozyme-specific inhibition of drug oxidation. The C19-steroid androst-4-ene-3,17-dione was selected for initial study because the stereoselective hydroxylation of this substrate is specific for certain P-450s. In control microsomes only the 6 beta- and 16 beta-hydroxylations of the steroid (catalyzed, respectively, by the P-450s PCN-E and PB-B) were inhibited by isosafrole (I50 = 100 and 110 microM). In contrast, the 7 alpha- and 16 alpha-hydroxylases (P-450 UT-F- and UT-A-mediated, respectively) were refractory to inhibition. After phenobarbital (PB) induction, steroid 6 beta- and 16 beta-hydroxylase activities were again inhibited (I50 = 170 and 190 microM) but, in addition, the 16 alpha-hydroxylase pathway was also inhibited (I50 = 200 microM). Spectral studies revealed that MI complexation of P-450 in untreated microsomes was minimal but was enhanced markedly after PB induction (up to 50% of the total P-450 content complexed). Thus, it is apparent that a PB-inducible P-450 is involved in MI complex formation under these conditions. Indeed the I50 of isosafrole toward steroid 16 beta-hydroxylase activity was decreased if the inhibitor was preincubated with NADPH-fortified PB-induced microsomes prior to substrate addition; the preincubation step did not enhance the inhibition of any other steroid hydroxylase pathway by isosafrole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase activities and their inducibility by classic P450 inducers in the liver, kidney, and nasal mucosa of male adult ring-necked pheasants

In this study, several P450-dependent monoxygenase activities in the liver, kidney, and nasal mucosa of ring-necked pheasants were examined. In addition, the presence and inducibility of P450 isoenzymes in the hepatic and renal tissues of pheasants were examined by using typical substrates and inducers of P450s along with polyclonal antibodies raised against mammalian isoforms. Anti-rat P450 1A1 recognized in microsomes of both pheasant liver and kidney a protein that was markedly induced by beta-naphthoflavone and accompanied by an increase of various monooxygenases, in particular, methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase (MROD) activity. Anti-rat P450 2E1 revealed in microsomes of the pheasant liver but not in kidney an immunoreactive protein that was slightly induced by acetone but not accompanied by an increase of para-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity. On the other hand, acetone treatment caused an induction of other hepatic monoxygenases including MROD, erythromycin N-demethylase, and 6beta-testosterone hydroxylase. These two latter activities, known to be markers for 3A isoenzymes in rodents, were also enhanced in pheasant liver by phenobarbital but not by dexamethasone. The treatment with these two inducers also lacked to point out hepatic and renal proteins immunorelated to P450 3A or 2B subfamily, suggesting that these isoforms may be not expressed in pheasant. On the other hand, anti-rat P450 2C11 recognized two immunorelated proteins in the liver of both control and treated pheasants. The treatment with clofibrate, a mammalian inducer of 4A subfamily, induced both in liver and kidney of pheasant: i) a protein that cross-reacted with anti rat P450 4A1 and ii) the (omega) and (omega-1) lauric acid hydroxylase activities, known to be associated in mammals to this P450 subfamily. In the nasal mucosa of pheasant, a protein immunorelated to P450 2A and some monooxygenase activities (i.e., 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase) linked, in mammals, to this isoform have been found; by contrast a protein immunoreactive with anti P450 2G1 was not found. In conclusion, the immunochemical properties and monooxygenase activities of constitutive and inducible P450s in pheasants were different not only from those of mammals but also from those of chickens. The findings of the present work also suggest that the P450 induction profiles might provide a potential biomarker of pheasant exposure to chemicals or environmental pollutants in the wild-field or in the stock-farm.     

On the substrate specificity of cytochrome P450IIIA1

The instability of the solubilized/purified form, the lack of catalytic activity of the stabilized, macrolide-complexed form, and the compromised catalytic activity of the decomplexed form of steroid-inducible cytochrome P450IIIA1 motivated further investigations of the substrate specificity of this isozyme. A major complementary goal was to identify reactions utilizable as sensitive, specific diagnostic probes for the detection and partial characterization of this isozyme in tissues for which isolation and purification are not practical (e.g., extrahepatic, embryonic tissues, etc.). The approach utilized a combination of a specific, purified inducer, specific inhibitors including triacetyloleandomycin and inhibitory antibodies, and diagnostic probe substrates including the phenoxazone ethers, testosterone, warfarin, 2-acetylaminofluorene, estradiol-17 beta and benzo[a]pyrene. The results obtained indicated that steroid-inducible, rat hepatic P450IIIA1 would catalyze minimal or no O-dealkylation of methoxy-, ethoxy- or pentoxyphenoxazone but catalyzed rapid O-debenzylation of benzyloxyphenoxazone. Hydroxylation of testosterone was specific for the beta face of the molecule at the 2-, 6-, 15- and 16-positions with no detectable conversion to androstenedione and minimal hydroxylation on the alpha face. Both the R- and S-enantiomers of warfarin were attacked at positions 9 and 10, and these reactions appeared to be specific to isozymes of the IIIA family. Aromatic hydroxylation of estradiol-17 beta was efficiently catalyzed, particularly at the 2-position. Hydroxylations of 2-acetylaminofluorene at positions 5 and 7 were catalyzed at relatively rapid rates, but N-hydroxylation of the same substrate was not catalyzed effectively. Hydroxylation of benzo[a]pyrene occurred preferentially at carbon 3 with much lesser activity at carbon 9 and little or no detectable attack at positions 7 or 1. The results indicated that the 2 beta- and 15 beta-hydroxylation of testosterone and the 10-hydroxylation of warfarin would serve as the most useful probes thus far available for detection of the presence of functional P450IIIA1 isozymes in tissues for which isolation and purification are impractical. The results also indicated a very broad, yet selective substrate specificity for the steroid-inducible P450IIIA1.     

In vitro inhibition of hepatic steroid hydroxylation by tamoxifen, a series of tamoxifen analogues and related compounds

The in vitro inhibition of the cytochrome P-450 (P-450) isozyme specific positional hydroxylation of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (androstenedione) by the alkylamino containing compounds trans- and cis-tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen, SKF 525-A and the non-alkylamino containing compounds tamoxifen metabolite E, and tamoxifen analogue U-23469 was assessed in pooled hepatic microsomes isolated from untreated male rats. P-450 IIA 1-mediated androstenedione 7 alpha-hydroxylation appeared refractory to inhibition, with the lowest I50s being approximately 200 microM (cis- and and trans-tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen). (According to the recently recommended nomenclature for cytochromes P-450 (Nebert DW and Gonzalez FJ, Ann Rev Biochem 56: 945-993, 1987), rat hepatic cytochromes P-450 UT-A, PB-B, PCN-E and UT-F are encoded by genes IIC 11, IIB 1, IIIA 1/2 and IIA 1, respectively. I50s toward the P-450 IIC 11-, IIB 1-, and IIIA 1/2-catalysed reactions, androstenedione 16 alpha-, 16 beta- and 6 beta-hydroxylations, respectively, were generally in the range 70-190 microM. However, metabolite E exhibited a rather specific and potent capacity to inhibit androstenedione 16 alpha-hydroxylase activity (I50 = 18 microM). Since a number of alkylamine compounds have been shown to sequester microsomal P-450 as an inactive metabolite intermediate (MI), the tamoxifen analogues were investigated for their in vitro MI complexation capacity. However, spectral binding studies revealed that the incubation of these compounds with NADPH-fortified microsomal fractions did not result in MI complex formation. In binding experiments conducted with oxidised microsomal fractions it was apparent that most of the tamoxifen analogues are type I ligands of quite high affinity for ferric P-450 (Ks range 10-60 microM). It seems unlikely that MI formation is involved in the observed inhibition of androstenedione hydroxylation by tamoxifen and congeners. Instead, and in contrast to the situation observed with SKF 525-A, it would appear that the inhibitory capacity of the tamoxifen analogues is more closely related to type I binding capacity with ferric P-450. A finding of particular interest is that metabolite E, in which the alkylamino side-chain is absent, elicited a type I interaction of high capacity. The maximal absorbance change of the type I interaction of this compound with microsomal P-450 was about three-fold greater than the other compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Differences in the in vivo and in vitro Effects of the Carbamate Insecticide,Carbaryl on rat Hepatic Monooxygenases

ABSTRACT

The effects of one of the most widely used insecticides, carbaryl, on the hepatic cytochrome P-450—dependent monooxygenases were determined. Addition of carbaryl to liver microsomes from untreated or phenobarbital (PB)-pretreated rats resulted in a weak Type I binding spectrum. A much stronger spectral Type I interaction was observed when microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene(3—MC)-treated rats were used. In vitro, carbaryl caused marked inhibition of ethylmorphine and benzphetamine N-demethylases, benzo(a)pyrene hydro-xylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin and 7-ethoxyresorufin 0-deethylases in liver microsomes. Kinetic studies demonstrated that carbaryl was a competitive inhibitor of ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity. Daily administration of carbaryl for 4 days by gavage or intra-peritoneally resulted in no significant alterations in hepatic cytochrome P-450 levels, ethylmorphine N-demethylase or benzo(a)-pyrene hydroxylase activities. The lack of effect of carbaryl in vivo may be due to the rapid metabolism of the insecticide, such that the insecticide may not be present in the liver endoplasmic reticulum to cause the inhibitory effects observed in vitro.     

Ascorbic acid deficiency decreases specific forms of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of guinea pigs

Ascorbic acid (VC) deficiency resulted in a decrease in the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, and p-nitroanisole O-demethylase and in the content of cytochrome P-450, as spectrally determined, whereas it caused an increase in the activities of 6 beta-hydroxylases for testosterone and progesterone in liver microsomes of guinea pigs. Western blot analysis of liver microsomes with antibodies to rat P-448-H (P-4501A2), P-450j (P-450IIE), P-450 PB-1 (P-450IIIA), and P-450b (P-450IIB1) showed that VC deficiency decreased the amount of cytochrome P-450 immunochemically related to P-450IA2 and P-450IIE but did not change the amount of the form that was cross-reactive with antibodies to P-450IIB1 and tended to slightly increase (not statistically significantly) the amount of the form of the cytochrome immunochemically related to P-450IIIA. The larger decrease by VC deficiency in the amount of cytochrome P-450 that was cross-reactive to the rat P-450IA2 resulted in a lower capacity of liver microsomes to activate promutagens, such as 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo(4,5-f)quinoline and aflatoxin B1. These results indicate that VC deficiency in guinea pigs differentially affects the content of individual forms of cytochrome P-450.     

Self-catalyzed inactivation of cytochrome P-450 during microsomal metabolism of cannabidiol

When cannabidiol (CBD) was incubated with hepatic microsomes of mice in the presence of an NADPH-generating system, a significant decrease of cytochrome P-450 content was observed by measuring its carbon monoxide difference spectra. The decrease of cytochrome P-450 by CBD required NADPH and molecular oxygen. The effect was partially inhibited by SKF 525-A but not by various scavengers of active oxygen species, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen. The incubation of CBD with hepatic microsomes did not affect total heme but decreased significantly free sulfhydryl contents in the microsomes. The derivatives of CBD modified in the resorcinol moiety, CBD-monomethyl- and dimethylethers, almost lost the effect on cytochrome P-450, whereas those modified in the terpene moiety, 8,9-dihydro- and 1,2,8,9-tetrahydro-CBDs exhibited some potency to inactivate cytochrome P-450. The inactivation of cytochrome P-450 by CBD and related compounds led to the inhibition of hepatic microsomal p-nitroanisole O-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase activities. These results suggest that the resorcinol moiety of CBD plays some role in the inactivation of cytochrome P-450 by the cannabinoid.     

Purification of a sheep liver cytochrome P-450 from the P450IIIA gene subfamily. Its contribution to the N-dealkylation of veterinary drugs

Oral administration of troleandomycin at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 6 days to three adult male Lacaune sheep produced a 1.6-fold increase in specific content of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450. In sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, microsomal preparations from treated animals exhibited a strong band in the zone of electrophoretic mobility of cytochromes P-450. This band corresponded to a cytochrome P-450 which cross-reacted with rabbit P450IIIA6 antibodies, as demonstrated by immunoblotting. The ovine isozyme was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by means of successive DEAE cellulose, CM cellulose and hydroxylapatite chromatographic separations. This hemoprotein had an apparent molecular weight of 52 kD as determined by calibrated sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was characterized in terms of spectral data, NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, immunologic and catalytic properties. This study revealed some interspecies differences with the orthologous rabbit isozyme. The contribution of this form to the N-demethylation of erythromycin and of three veterinary drugs: chlorpromazine, chlorpheniramine and bromhexine was demonstrated from inhibition by TAO, from immunoinhibition studies, using polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbit and from the existence of significant correlations between its microsomal level and these N-demethylase activities. In contrast, the results suggest that ovine P450IIIA could not be predominantly involved in the N-dealkylation of benzphetamine, ephedrine, ivermectine or spiramycin.     

Clotrimazole-induced modulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes in Syrian and Chinese hamsters.

Clotrimazole, an imidazole antifungal drug, is known to induce cytochrome P450 isozymes of the P450IIIA and P450IIB subfamilies in rats. This agent modulated hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes differently in golden Syrian and Chinese hamsters and also in hamsters and rats. Clotrimazole at a daily intraperitoneal dose of 100 mg/kg for three days increased the amount of cytochrome P450 in the livers of the two hamster strains. In Syrian hamsters, clotrimazole significantly induced the activities of 7-pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase, coumarin 7-hydroxylase, benzphetamine N-demethylase and testosterone 15 alpha- and 16 alpha-hydroxylases, but reduced those of testosterone 15 beta-, 7 alpha-, 6 beta-, 2 alpha- and 2 beta-hydroxylases. In Chinese hamsters, clotrimazole markedly stimulated the activities of coumarin 7-hydroxylase and testosterone 15 alpha, 16 alpha- and 2 alpha-hydroxylases as well as the formation of androstenedione. Western blot analysis revealed that clotrimazole treatment induced mainly cytochrome P450 isozymes immunorelated to the P450IIB and P450IIA subfamilies in Syrian hamsters and isozymes immunorelated to the P450IIA subfamily in Chinese hamsters. In contrast, in both hamster strains, clotrimazole did not induce the isozymes corresponding to the P450IIIA subfamily.