Induction of dimethylnitrosamine demethylase activity in mouse liver by polychlorinated biphenyls and 3-methylcholanthrene

Hepatic dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) demethylase activity in male C57BL/6 mice, assayed with 1 or 5 mM DMN and expressed per g liver, increased after i.p. treatment with Aroclor 1254 [polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS), 500 mg/kg, 96 hr before assay], compared with parallel oil-injected controls. This increase was of statistical significance when either the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction (sup) or isolated microsomes were assayed. The induction appeared larger with 5 mM DMN as substrate (about 180 per cent) than with 1 mM DMN (about 65 per cent). PCBs also induced sup DMN (5 mM) demethylase activity in (C57BL/6 × BALB/c)F₁ and Swiss-Webster mice. 3-Methyl-cholanthrene exposure (80 mg/kg, 48 hr) resulted in a small but significant increase in sup hepatic DMN (5 mM) demethylase activity in C57BL/6 and F₁ mice. Isolated microsomes from C57BL/6 livers exhibited only 40–60 per cent of the DMN (1 or 5 mM) demethylase activity present in the corresponding sup; such preparations may not give an accurate indication of in vivo activity. Inclusion of the lipid layer with the sup resulted in a significant increase in DMN (5 mM) demethylase activity in Aroclor-induced, but not in control, C57BL/6 mouse livers. The number of cells per unit area of liver, determined microscopically after treatment of C57BL/6 mice with PCBs, decreased slightly (15 per cent) but significantly compared with controls. Thus, enzyme activity per g liver represents a conservative approximation of activity per cell, which is the parameter that should be measured for demonstration of induction or repression and for evaluation of potential toxic or carcinogenic effects.     

Comparative induction of xenobiotic metabolism in rodent kidney, testis and liver by commercial mixtures of polybrominated biphenyls and polychlorinated biphenyls, phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene: absolute and temporal effects

Male Fischer 344 rats were killed at various times after single or multiple treatments with polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), sodium phenobarbital (NaPB) or 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC). p-Chloro-N-methyl-aniline N-demethylase (PCNMA) and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activities were determined in the 14 000 g supernatant fraction (postmitochondrial supernate, PMS) of renal, testicular and hepatic homogenates. Cytochrome P-450 (p-450) concentrations were determined in the 100 000 g pellet fractions of the same homogenates and the effects of enzyme induction on the sensitivities of AHH in PMS to inhibition by alpha-napthoflavone (ANF) and metyrapone (MET) in vitro were determined. Single treatments with PBB or PCB induced hepatic P-450 only, while multiple treatments with PBB, PCB or 3MC induced both renal and hepatic P-450; NaPB induced only hepatic P-450, while testicular P-450 concentration was unaffected by the inducers. Treatments with PBB, PCB or 3MC shifted the Soret maxima of renal and hepatic dithionite-reduced P-450 difference spectra to shorter wavelengths. Multiple treatments with PBB, PCB or 3MC increased renal and hepatic AHH activities, but NaPB induced hepatic AHH only. Renal AHH activity was increased more rapidly than hepatic AHH after a single treatment with PBB, PCB or 3MC and returned more rapidly to control. The renal AHH induced by PBB and PCB, like that induced by 3MC, was more sensitive to inhibition by ANF in vitro than was renal AHH from naive rats. Hepatic AHH induced by PBB and PCB, unlike that induced by NaPB or 3MC, exhibited no net alterations in sensitivities to the inhibitory effects of ANF or MET. Testicular AHH activity was not induced by PBB, PCB , NaPB or 3MC. Multiple treatments with PBB, PCB or NaPB increased hepatic, but not renal or testicular PCNMA activities. The organ-specificity and time-dependency of the effects of PBB, PCB, NaPB and 3MC on P-450 concentrations and AHH activities suggest that drug metabolism in kidney, testis and liver are regulated by separate control mechanisms. It may be possible to exploit such differences in organ response to enzyme inducers as tools with which to discern the roles of local metabolism in renal and testicular chemical injury.     

Regulation of rat liver epoxide hydratase activity by phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene.

Phenobarbital-pretreatment of rats increased liver microsomal epoxide hydratase activity 2.6-fold over controls even after elimination of inherent latency problems. However. 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment of rats does not alter the levels of hepatic epoxide hydratase activity. Epoxide hydratase was purified from control rats or rats pretreated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. The enzymes isolated from all three sources appear to be very similar in size, immunological activity and specific activity. These experiments strongly suggest that phenobarbital stimulates epoxide hydratase activity by selectively increasing microsomal content of a single form of the enzyme. The possible existence of multiple forms of epoxide hydratase is discussed.     

Effects of rubratoxin B on the hepatic monooxygenase system in phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene induced male mice

Alterations in the hepatic microsomal monooxygenase system and in the concentrations of rubratoxin B in urine and feces were examined in male mice pretreated with corn oil, phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and then given a single i.p. dose of rubratoxin B (1 mg/2.5 ml propylene glycol/kg). Twenty-four hours later the following parameters were determined: hepatic cytochrome P-450 content, enzyme activities of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, NADPH-dependent dehydrogenase, aniline hydroxylase and ethylmorphine N-demethylase, and hapatic microsomal protein and reduced glutathione levels. Excretion of rubratoxin B in urine and feces also was determined. Rubratoxin B reduced the elevated cytochrome P-450 (136%, 134%) and protein (128%, 112%) to control values in animals pretreated with phenobarbital or 3MC, respectively; whereas, in the corn oil pretreated group, the mycotoxin reduced cytochrome P-450 by 38%. Aniline hydroxylase activity was reduced 31% or more in all pretreated animals. Rubratoxin B did not affect ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity in mice pretreated with phenobarbital; however, the enzyme activity was decreased significantly in the 3MC group. Rubratoxin B reduced the hepatic glutathione level in animals receiving 3MC (33%) or corn oil (22%). More rubratoxin B was detected in the urine than in the feces regardless of pretreatment. Only trace amounts of toxin were detected in the feces of animals from the 3MC group. These data suggest a greater effect of rubratoxin B in the 3MC pretreated mice than in the phenobarbital animals.     

Comparison of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital between pre- and postnatal rats

Effects of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and phenobarbital (PB) on the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme system in fetal liver of rats were investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of 3MC (25 mg/kg, 72 and 48 hr before death) to pregnant rats significantly increased hexobarbital (HB) and aminopyrine (AM)-metabolizing activities in fetuses on the 21st day of gestation to 148.0 and 150.6% of control fetuses, respectively. In contrast, HB and AM-metabolizing activities in 4-day-old neonates and mothers were decreased by administration of 3MC on the 21st day of gestation. Benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-metabolizing activity, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, and cytochrome P-450 content in 3MC-treated fetuses were significantly increased to 2143.6, 137.6, and 323.8% of the control, respectively. Following 3MC administration, the maximum absorption of the cytochrome P-450-CO difference spectra in liver microsomes of fetuses was observed at 449-450 nm. The induction profile following 3MC administration in the fetal livers was different from that in the neonatal and the maternal livers. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of PB (60 mg/kg, 72, 48, and 24 hr before death) significantly increased HB, AM, and BP-metabolizing activities in fetal livers to 263.7, 231.0, and 151.2% of the respective controls. The profile induced by PB in the fetal livers was similar to that in maternal livers. These results suggest that HB and AM-metabolizing enzymes in fetal livers treated with 3MC or PB possess the capacity to be induced, and the responsiveness of the drug-metabolizing enzyme system to 3MC during the prenatal stage may differ from the postnatal stage.     

Cholestasis as an in vivo model for analysis of the induction of liver microsomal monooxygenases by sodium phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene.

Cholestasis was used as a model of sharp decrease in the amounts of substrate-binding and catalytic centres of cytochrome P-450 for sodium phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene. Based on this model, the induction effects of sodium phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene on rat liver microsomal monooxygenases were analyzed. Under conditions excluding the primary binding and metabolism of the inducer by monooxygenases, sodium phenobarbital retains its capacity for induction. By contrast, 3-methylcholanthrene exerted no inducing effects under the same conditions as confirmed by the lack of increase of cytochrome P-448 content. From the data obtained it is suggested that in mechanism of sodium phenobarbital induction of liver microsomal monooxygenases the activation of protein synthesis is affected by the inducer itself. As for 3-methylcholanthrene, it is assumed that the synthesis of specific protein (cytochrome P-448) could be initiated by the microsomal metabolites of this inducer.     

Induction of hepatic mono-oxygenase systems of pregnant rats with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene.

When sodium phenobarbital was given to pregnant and non-pregnant female rats (40 mg/kg for 4 days), ethylmorphine N-demethylase, a cytochrome P-450-dependent system, was induced about 4-fold in non-pregnant females, but only 2-fold in pregnant females. The induction of microsomal cytochrome P-450 was also lower in pregnant animals. This impairment of phenobarbital induction occurred within 3 days of conception and disappeared after parturition within 5 days. 3-Methylcholan-threne induction of hepatic benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, a cytochrome P₁-450-dependent mono-oxy-genase system not inducible by phenobarbital, was not impaired during pregnancy. The depressed response of the maternal liver to phenobarbital induction can be partially reversed by the coadministra-tion of 3-methylcholanthrene. The administration of a higher dose of sodium phenobarbital (80 mg/kg day for 4 days) overcame the pregnancy-related lowered response to phenobarbital induction observed with the smaller dose of the barbiturate. The similarity in responses of the maternal and fetal livers to inducing agents suggests that a common regulatory mechanism operates in both the fetus and the pregnant female.     

Purification and biochemical characterization of hepatic arylamine N-acetyltransferase from rapid and slow acetylator mice: identity with arylhydroxamic acid N,O-acyltransferase and N-hydroxyarylamine O-acetyltransferase

An inbred mouse model for the human N-acetylation polymorphism has been used to investigate the biochemical basis for the arylamine N-acetylation polymorphism and the relationship between the cytosolic enzymes arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT), arylhydroxamic acid N,O-acyltransferase, and N-hydroxyarylamine O-acetyltransferase. Biochemical studies of partially purified NAT from rapid and slow acetylator mice revealed identical molecular weights of 31,500, activation energies of 21,000 cal/mol, equivalent affinities for acetyl coenzyme A, broad pH optima, the presence of an active site sulfhydryl group, and similar behavior during purification with anion exchange, gel filtration, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The enzymes differed in inhibition by hydrogen peroxide and dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). These observations taken in conjunction with previous investigations indicate that the rapid and slow mouse NAT enzymes are isozymes with minimal structural differences. NATs from rapid and slow acetylator mice were purified more than 10,000-fold by the following sequence of methods: homogenization and fractional centrifugation, protamine sulfate precipitation, and chromatography on DEAE-Trisacryl M, Sephadex G-100, Amethopterin-AH-Sepharose 4B, butyl agarose, and Sephacryl S-200, with a 15-25% recovery. NAT from B6 mice was purified to greater than 95% purity, as judged by silver staining of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Although only NAT appeared to be subject to a genetic polymorphism as evidenced by N-acetylation activities in liver cytosol, the purified NAT protein possessed arylhydroxamic acid N,O-acyltransferase, N-hydroxyarylamine O-acetyltransferase, and NAT activities. Thus, the cytosolic N-acetyltransferase of mouse liver may catalyze N-, O-, and N,O-acetyltransfer reactions through a common acetylated intermediate of a single protein.     

Effects of phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, and retinoid pretreatment on disposition of orally administered retinoids in mice

Following oral administration of doses of 10 mg/kg, the concentrations of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)retinamide (N-HOERA), and 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) were measured in serum and tissues of mice with and without pretreatment with phenobarbital (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), or the respective retinoid. For RA, the areas under the concentration-time curves (AUC values) for serum and tissues, relative to controls, were reduced, on the average, by 54 or 37% on pretreatment with RA or PB, respectively. Pretreatment with 3MC did not affect disposition of RA. The AUC values for N-HOERA were reduced, on the average, by 39 or 30% following pretreatment with PB or 3MC, respectively, but only 13% by the retinoid. For 13-cis-RA, the AUC values were reduced, on the average, by 56 or 37% following pretreatment with PB or 3MC, respectively; pretreatment with the retinoid had no appreciable effect. Thus, the disposition of orally administered retinoids appears to be affected by several inducible metabolic processes. Furthermore, comparison of data on the tissue distribution of retinoids with in vivo results demonstrates a general correlation between distribution and anticarcinogenic activity.     

Altered induction response of hepatic cytochrome P-450 to phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, and beta-naphthoflavone in organotin-treated animals

The effects of tricyclohexyltin hydroxide on the induction of cytochrome P-450 in liver by phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone were studied. A single dose of the organotin (15 mg/kg body wt) prevented the full extent of phenobarbital induction of cytochrome P-450 from occurring; this was the case whether tricyclohexyltin was given 48 hr preceeding a single injection of phenobarbital, or administered simultaneously with the first of three daily doses of the drug. Elevation of hepatic heme oxygenase (EC 1.14.99.3) activity accompanied these changes in cytochrome P-450, but the induction of this enzyme was not affected by phenobarbital treatment. The induction of cytochrome P-448 by 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone was not affected to the same extent by a single injection of tricyclohexyltin, while heme oxygenase induction was less pronounced when these cytochrome P-448 inducers were given together with the organotin. The changes in cytochrome P-450 content and in its functional activity resulting from the various treatments were further examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the microsomal fractions. The electrophoretic profiles illustrate clearly that the apoprotein moieties of the various cytochrome P-450 subspecies are affected to a considerable extent by treatment with tricyclohexyltin hydroxide alone, and staining in these bands was noticeably reduced even when phenobarbital was administered together with the organotin. In contrast, tricyclohexyltin failed to decreased the 3-methylcholanthrene- or beta-naphthoflavone-induced cytochrome P-450 subspecies. These data suggest that significant metabolic interactions can occur from exposure to a combination of environmental chemicals and drugs resulting in an altered metabolism of heme and cytochrome P-450.     

Three forms of trichloroethylene-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver induced by ethanol, phenobarbital, and 3-methylcholanthrene

In vitro metabolism of trichloroethylene (TRI) and trichloroethanol (TCE) was investigated using liver microsomes from control and ethanol-, phenobarbital (PB)-, and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-treated rats. At least three forms of enzymes were involved in TRI metabolism. One was a low-Km type normally existing in microsomes from control rats. The ethanol-inducible enzyme was found to be catalytically identical to this low-Km isozyme. Another was a high-Km type which was induced exclusively by PB, and a third was an MC-inducible isozyme with a Km value between those of ethanol- and PB-inducible isozymes. Although MC treatment did not affect the rate of TRI metabolism in vitro, both ethanol and PB treatment markedly enhanced the metabolism. Ethanol-induced enhancement was different from PB-induced enhancement in that ethanol enhanced the metabolism predominantly at low substrate concentrations, whereas PB did so at high concentrations. In addition, TRI metabolism with enzymes from ethanol-treated rats was inhibited by the substrate itself at high concentrations. MC treatment of rats had little or no influence on the rate of TCE metabolism in vitro, whereas both ethanol and PB enhanced the microsomal conversion of TCE to chloral hydrate. As in the case of TRI metabolism, ethanol induced a microsomal TCE-metabolizing enzyme of low Km, whereas PB preferentially induced an enzyme of high Km.     

Sex-related differences in rat hepatic cytochromes P450 expression following treatment with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene

The induction of hepatic cytochromes P450 and metabolic effects have been examined in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats following treatment with either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. Hepatic cytochrome P450 levels were higher in males than in females by ≈40%. Treatment of male and female rats with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in an ≈1.6- and 2-fold increase, respectively, in heptic microsomal cytochrome P450 levels in both sexes, relative to untreated animals. Immunoblot analyses were performed to compare sex-related changes in P450 levels. Hepatic P450IIB1 levels in males were greater than those in females following phenobarbital treatment. 3-Methylcholanthrene-induced male hepatic microsomes exhibited greater levels of P450 IA1 and IA2 than female microsomes, whereas uninduced microsomes from males or females failed to exhibit a band. Mab PCN 2-13-1 against P450IIIA recognized an intense band in uninduced hepatic microsomes from males whereas no band was recognized in uninduced microsomes from female rats. The levels of P450IIIA in males were increased 2 to 3-fold following treatment with phenobarbital. while the increase of IIIA levels in females by phenobarbital was minimal, as monitored by immunoblot analysis. Solid phase radioimmunoassay using monoclonal antibodies supported the results of immunoblot analysis. Phenobarbital treatment caused a 6.5-fold increase in the monoclonal antibody binding to IIB1 in males, whereas treatment of females with phenobarbital resulted in a 12-fold increase of IIB1 binding, relative to respective controls. The relative increase of IA levels by 3-methylcholanthrene was also greater in females than in males (10-vs. 8-fold) although the levels of induced IA were comparable in both sexes, as assessed by radioimmunoassay. Radioimmunoassay also showed that hepatic IIE1 level was 1.5-fold higher in males than in females and that either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment caused 80% to 40% decrease in IIE1 levels, relative to control, in both sexes. Sex-related metabolic activities were examined in hepatic microsomes. Hexobarbital hydroxylase activity was 2- to 3-fold higher in uninduced microsomes from males than that from females. This hydroxylase activity was increased 2- and 3-fold in males and females, respectively, following phenobarbital treatment, as compared to controls. Addition of anti-P450IIB1 antibody to phenobarbital-induced hepatic microsomes from males and females produced 64% and 84% inhibition of hexobarbital oxidation, respectively. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was increased ≈12- and 26-fold in males and females. respectively, following 3-methylcholanthrene treatment relative to controls. The anti-P450IA antibody inhibitable rate of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was comparable in both sexes following 3-methylcholanthrene treatment (≈70%). These results demonstrate that levels of hepatic P450IIB1 or P450IA are greater in male than in female for untreated, phenobarbital- or 3-methylcholanthrene treated rats. In addition, the relative increase of P450IIB1 or IA by phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene is more significant in females.     

Differential induction of rat hepatic glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes by hexachlorobenzene and benzyl isothiocyanate. Comparison with induction by phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene

Male Wistar rats were treated with hexachlorobenzene, benzyl isothiocyanate, phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. Hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was determined with the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, ethacrynic acid and trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one. Cytosolic glutathione peroxidase activity was measured with cumene hydroperoxide. GST activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and ethacrynic acid was enhanced by all compounds, hexachlorobenzene and 3-methylcholanthrene causing the largest and the smallest increase respectively. Trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one-conjugating activity exhibited only small changes, while peroxidase activity with cumeme hydroperoxide was not changed by any of the inducing agents. GST isoenzymes were purified on S-hexylglutathione Sepharose 6B and separated by means of FPLC-chromatofocusing, to evaluate effects on the GST isoenzyme pattern. Hexachlorobenzene and phenobarbital both caused an increase in the relative amounts of subunits 1 and 3 when compared with subunits 2 and 4 respectively. For 3-methylcholanthrene only induction of subunit 1 was observed, possibly due to the relatively low induction levels of total GST activity. In benzyl isothiocyanate-treated animals, an induction of subunit 3 was found as well as an increase in the relative amount of subunit 2. Thus, benzyl isothiocyanate behaves differently from hexachlorobenzene, phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene as an inducing agent of rat hepatic glutathione S-transferases.