Effect of acute and repeated chlordimeform treatment on rat hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes

The effect of chlordimeform treatment on the hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes was examined in male and female rats following either acute or repeated treatment. After acute administration of chlordimeform (100 mg/kg, ip one hr prior to sacrifice) differential effects were observed in various parameters of the hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system with significant decreases in ethylmorphine metabolism, cytochrome P-450 content, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, and in the spectral binding of hexobarbital and aniline while no changes were found in the metabolism of aniline or p-nitroanisole. Durations of zoxazolamine-induced paralysis and pentobarbital-induced hypnosis were increased significantly after acute chlordimeform administration. Following repeated administration of chlordimeform (75 mg/kg ip for four days) to adult male rats, a decrease was observed in zoxazolamine-induced paralysis time while pentobarbital-induced hypnosis was not altered. Metabolism studies using isolated hepatic microsomal fractions showed a decrease rate of biotransformation of ethylmorphine and aniline while the activity of p-nitroanisole O-demethylase was not changed. No differences were found in cytochrome P-450 levels whereas microsomal spectral binding of hexobarbital was reduced while that of aniline was not affected. Following acute or repeated administration of chlordimeform to adult female rats, decreases in the hepatic microsomal metabolism of aniline, but not ethylmorphine or p-nitroanisole, were observed. Addition of chlordimeform to microsomal suspensions yielded a Type I spectral binding curve.     

Effects of inhibition and induction of cytochrome P-450 isozymes on hyperoxic lung injury in rats.

Pulmonary oxygen toxicity most likely results from excessive production of reactive oxygen species. The role of the cytochromes P-450 in this process is controversial because these enzymes have been reported both to enhance hyperoxic lung injury and to protect from the damaging effects of 100% oxygen. We sought to further determine the role of the cytochromes P-450 in hyperoxic lung injury by inhibiting and inducing pulmonary cytochrome P-450 isozymes in rats. Treatment with the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor cimetidine or 8-methoxypsoralen did not improve survival or reduce lung edema in rats exposed to 100% oxygen. The activity of cytochrome P-450IIB1, the major pulmonary cytochrome P-450 isozyme in rats, was clearly inhibited by 8-methoxypsoralen. beta-Naphthoflavone (beta NF), a selective inducer of cytochrome P-450IA1, was administered in two-dose and five-dose regimens. The two-dose regimen produced significant and sustained induction of cytochrome P-450IA1 activity, but survival in these rats was not improved when exposed to 100% oxygen. In rats treated with five doses of beta NF, a small increase in survival time was found from 71.1 +/- 8.7 to 88.0 +/- 20.2 h; however, there was no difference in the induction of cytochrome P-450IA1 activity between this five-dose regimen and the two-dose regimen. The small improvement in survival after five doses of beta NF is thus unrelated to cytochrome P-450IA1 induction. We conclude that neither inhibition of cytochrome P-450IIB1 activity nor induction of cytochrome P-450IA1 activity protects adult rats against hyperoxic lung injury.     

Untersuchungen über den zeitlichen Verlauf der Induktion der delta-Aminolävulinsäuresynthetase,des Hexobarbital-abbauenden Enzyms und von Cytochrom-P450 in der Rattenleber nach Phenobarbital

Zusammenfassung Die Aktivität der delta-Aminolävulinsäuresynthetase, des Hexobarbital-abbauenden Enzyms, sowie die Konzentration von Cytochrom P-450 in der Rattenleber wurden in verschiedenen Zeitabständen nach einer einmaligen Injektion von 80 mg/kg Phenobarbital-Natrium bestimmt. Die Aktivität der delta-Aminolävulinsäuresynthetase erreicht ein Maximum bereits 8 Std nach der Verabreichung von Phenobarbital. Die Aktivität des hexobarbitalabbauenden Enzyms und die Konzentration von Cytochrom P-450 steigt bis zur 46. Std nach der Phenobarbitalinjektion an. Es wird hieraus geschlossen, daß nach Phenobarbital neben Cytochrom P-450 noch andere Hämoproteine oder Häm vermehrt gebildet werden.

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Summary The activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase and of the hexobarbital oxidizing enzyme and the concentration of cytochrome P-450 was estimated in rat liver at different periods after an injection of 80 mg per kg phenobarbital. An increase of the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase was demonstrated with a maximum 8 hours after the injection of phenobarbital followed by a decrease to nearly the norm during the next 8 hours. The activity of the hexobarbital oxidizing enzyme and the concentration of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes increased more slowly to a maximum 46 hours after the injection of phenobarbital. This observations indicate that phenobarbital may not only induce drug metabolizing enzymes but also may increase the snythesis of free heme or other hemoproteins in the liver.

     

Effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicines on the pharmacokinetics of western drugs in Sprague-Dawley rats of different ages (II): Aminophylline-huan shao tan and aminophylline-pu chung yi chi tang.

The effect of Chinese herbal medicines (Huan Shao Tan and Pu Chung Yi Chi Tang) and western drugs (sodium phenobarbital and cimetidine) on the serum concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline and cytochrome P-450 of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of three different ages were examined. The older rats without pretreatment with Chinese herbal medicines and western drugs exhibited higher serum theophylline concentration and lower pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline than middle-aged and younger rats (P < 0.05), but there was no difference in cytochrome P-450 activity among the three different ages of rats. All rats when pretreated with sodium phenobarbital showed lower serum theophylline concentration and higher pharmacokinetics parameters of theophylline. Also, the activity of cytochrome P-450 was higher (P < 0.05). When cimetidine was pre-administered in SD rats of three age groups, all rats exhibited lower serum theophylline concentration and higher pharmacokinetics parameters (P < 0.05), but the activity of cytochrome P-450 remained unchanged (P > 0.05). The results were opposite to other studies, probably because the dose and dosing intervals were different. No single effect occurred on the younger and middle-aged rats after pretreatment with Huan Shao Tan and Pu Chung Yi Chi Tang: their serum theophylline concentration, pharmacokinetics parameters and cytochrome P-450 activity were the same as the control group. However, the older rats after pretreatment with Huan Shao Tan or Pu Chung Yi Chi Tang showed lower serum theophylline concentration and higher pharmacokinetics parameters than the younger and middle-aged rats pretreated with similar Chinese herbal medicines. This indicates that Huan Shao Tan and Pu Chung Yi Chi Tang may perhaps improve the elimination of theophylline in older rats. This might be attributed to the increase in hepatic blood flow or in liver volume, since the activity of cytochrome P-450 was not affected by the administration of Chinese herbal medicines.     

Effect of phenobarbital on hepatic injury induced by chronic carbon tetrachloride treatment

Rats were given 1 ml CCl4 per kg body weight subcutaneously 2 times a week, for 16 weeks. The effects of simultaneous phenobarbital (PB) treatment (0.05% in drinking water) on the hepatotoxicity of CCl4 was studied during 16 weeks of treatment. The retardation of growth, the increase in liver weight and mortality were greater in animals receiving both PB and CCl4 than those given CCl4 alone. Cirrhosis was apparent only in animals treated by PB + CCl4. The potentiating effect of PB on CCl4 hepatotoxicity was also seen in hexobarbital sleeping time, the rate of hexobarbital metabolism, and the cytochrome P-450 content in liver microsomes. The inducing effect of PB alone decreased with time both in vivo and in vitro, which suggests an adaptation or some kind of exhaustion of liver to the effects of PB.     

Resistance of different forms of cytochrome P-450 of rat liver to factors destabilizing the microsomal membrane

The effect of factors destabilizing the membrane of the liver microsomes on the spectral properties of cytochrome P-450 (P-448) was investigated in intact rats and rats receiving phenobarbital (PB) or 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). Considerable resistance of microsomes induced by PB and MC to enzymic and nonenzymic peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids of membrane phospholipids was discovered. A clear difference was shown in the sensitivity of cytochrome P-448 and cytochrome P-450 of intact rats and rats receiving PB to in vitro treatment with sodium deoxycholate. The results indicate structural changes in the microsomal membrane during induction by PB and MC, which are two different types of inducers of the monooxygenases of the liver.Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Novosibirsk. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. P. Kaznacheev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 553–555, May, 1977.     

Turnover of hepatic cytochrome P-450 in experimental cholestasis

In mechanical experimental chllestasis, hypertrophy of smooth microsomal membranes was observed. In contrast to typical induction, the membranes were deficient in cytochrome P-450. The total cytochrome P-450 content of the liver, however, as determined in the liver homogenate remained unchanged. To clarify the mechanism of the development of cytochrome P-450 deficient membranes in cholestasis, the half life of the heme portion of cytochrome P-450, and the initial rate of synthesis of cytochrome P-450 and b₅ hemes were compared in bile duct ligated rats and in control animals after labeling the heme by injection of the precursor δ-[4-¹⁴C]aminolevulinic acid. The half lives were not significantly different, which eliminates the possibility that selective destruction of cytochrome P-450 has occurred. Depression of cytochromal heme synthesis was not observed. During mechanical cholestasis, the relative cytochrome P-450 deficiency is probably caused by proliferation of components of the endoplasmic reticulum other than the hemoprotein.     

Drug metabolism in rats with arthritis induced by 6-sulfanilamidoindazole (6-SAI)

Hexobarbital sleeping time was prolonged and ethylmorphine N-demethylation was inhibited after a single dosage or seven administrations of 6-SAI to old rats. These effects were independent of the development of arthritis. Changes in cytochrome P-450 concentration after 6-SAI treatment were insignificant and thus not responsible for the decrease in drug metabolism.In vitro 6-SAI inhibited ethylmorphine N-demethylation; the inhibition was of a mixed type. 6-SAI bound to cytochrome P-450 and induced a type II spectrum. The magnitude of hexobarbital-induced type I spectral changes was diminished by 6-SAI.It is concluded that 6-SAI inhibits cytochrome P-450-dependent drug metabolism by binding to cytochrome P-450.     

Effects of phospholipid-containing hepatoprotectors on cytochrome P-450-dependent antitoxic function of the liver during experimental toxic hepatitis

Phospholipid-containing hepatoprotectors essentiale and eplir inhibited conversion of cytochrome P-450 into cytochrome P-420 and restored aminopyrine N-demethylase and anilinen-hydroxylase activities of cytochrome P-450 in rats during acute hepatitis induced by CCl₄ and allyl alcohol. The polyphenol phytopreparation legalon did not prevent degradation of cytochrome P-450. Differences in the effects of hepatoprotectors on the impaired antitoxic function of the liver are probably associated with the abilities of essentiale and eplir to provide phospholipids for regeneration of endoplasmic reticulum membranes of hepatocytes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 4, pp. 392–394, April, 1999     

Immunohistochemical localization of cytochrome P-450 in rat brain

The presence of cytochrome P-450 in rat brain was studied by immunohistochemistry, using antibodies to cytochrome P-450 purified from livers of phenobarbital- or 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. Immunoreactive nerves were observed only in brain sections incubated with immunoglobulin-G to 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cytochrome P-450. This immunoreactivity was abolished by preabsorption of the antibody with highly purified rat liver cytochrome P-450c, the major cytochrome P-450 isozyme induced by 3-methylcholanthrene, but was not affected by other cytochrome P-450 isozymes induced by phenobarbital, isosafrole or pregnenolone-16-carbonitrile.

The most abundant concentration of nerve fibers with cytochrome P-450 immunoreactivity was observed in the globus pallidus. Immunoreactive fibers were also observed in the caudate putamen, amygdala, septum, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, medial forebrain bundle, ansa lenticularis, and ventromedial portion of the internal capsule and crus cerebri. Cell bodies with cytochrome P-450 immunoreactivity were observed in the caudate putamen and in the perifornical area of the hypothalamus. The cytochrome P-450 immunoreactive fibers in the globus pallidus and caudate putamen do not appear to emanate from cell bodies in the substantia nigra, since there was no reduction in the density of these fibers after unilateral stereotaxic electrolytic destruction of the substantia nigra (zona compacta and reticulata). Our data suggest that these striatal nerve processes are derived from cell bodies within the caudate putamen itself.

The present results indicate that rat brain contains a form of cytochrome P-450 with antigenic relatedness to the hepatic 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450c. This cytochrome P-450 isozyme was detected in brain areas which metabolize morphine and convert estradiol and estrone into catecholestrogens, which suggests an important role for this enzyme in the metabolism of both ex´ogenous and endogenous compounds in brain.     

Effects of aging and caloric restriction on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in the Fischer 344 rat. I: The cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase system

The effects of long-term caloric restriction on the hepatic cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase system were investigated in the 22-month-old Fischer 344 rat. Caloric restriction decreased the age-related changes in hepatic testosterone metabolism, which are associated with demasculinization of the liver. Caloric restriction also increased hepatic microsomal testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase, lauric acid 12-hydroxylase and 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase activities over corresponding values in both ad libitum fed 22-month and 60-day-old control male rats. This suggests that cytochrome P-450 isozymes, P-450 pcn1&2, P-452 and P450j may be induced by caloric restriction. Such changes in cytochrome P-450 isozyme profiles could result in altered carcinogen activation, radical formation or drug detoxication in the calorically restricted rat.     

The effect of age on antipyrine metabolism by liver microsomes isolated from phenobarbital-treated rats

A study was performed to test the hypothesis that ageing influences the activities of diverse forms or populations of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes in different ways. The formation of antipyrine metabolites in induced rats is mediated by such different forms or populations of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes. To test the hypothesis, the formation rates of antipyrine metabolites by liver microsomes isolated from phenobarbital-treated rats of different ages was determined. After phenobarbital induction in vitro, the maximal velocity for norantipyrine formation decreased from 12 to 24 months and then showed a tendency to increase with age. Hydroxymethylantipyrine formation did not change with age. 4-Hydroxyantipyrine increased between 3 and 12 months and remained constant afterwards. This is in agreement with data obtained in vivo in uninduced male BN/BiRij rats. It can be concluded that age does indeed influence the activities of different forms or populations of the cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes in different ways. Consequently, determining the overall clearance of antipyrine, which is metabolized by several isoenzymes, especially in the induced situation, is not to be recommended for measuring the activity of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes as a function of age.     

Role of dietary corn oil in the function of hepatic drug and carcinogen metabolizing enzymes of starved-refed rats: response to the mixed function oxidase inducer, 3-methylcholanthrene

Hepatic microsomes from rats starved 48 hours and refed diets containing zero, 3 or 20% corn oil metabolized benzo(a)pyrene, aniline and N-nitrosodimethylamine in proportion to the quantity of corn oil in the diet. No diet-related changes in apparent Km for these reactions were evident. The content of microsomal cytochrome P-450 was also clearly dependent upon the content of corn oil in the refed diets. When metabolism of these three substrates is expressed as product formed per unit of cytochrome P-450, the activities are least in microsomes from rats fed the 20% corn oil diet, suggesting that P-450 species responsible for metabolizing substrates other than these are enhanced preferentially. Cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activities are also increased with increasing corn oil in the diet. The administration of 3-MC increased cytochrome P-448 content of microsomes from all rats, regardless of diet, however highest content was present in microsomes from rats fed the 20% corn oil diet. Induction of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase was not influenced by dietary corn oil and, as anticipated, 3-MC caused significant repression of DMN N-demethylase in microsomes from rats fed the 20% corn oil diet. In like manner, 3-MC induced glutathione S-transferase only in cytosol from rats fed the fat-free diet.     

The effect of muscular exercise on the microsomal enzyme system of the rat liver

Summary Regular muscular work — in the form of swimming or running — was studied for its effect on hexobarbital sleeping time and on some components of the hepatic monooxygenase system. Sleeping times became shorter after both kinds of exercise. Thus, the causative factor in this type of enzyme induction is regular physical exercise. Antipyrine elimination was also faster in rats exercised by swimming. Regular exertion elicited a rise in the concentration or activity of some components of the hepatic microsomal monooxygenase system (cytochrome P₄₅₀, cytochrome b₅ and NADPH cytochrome reductase EC 1.6.2.3.). The inducing effect of muscular work appears to be most similar to the phenobarbital type of induction. In the development of this exercise-induced rise of enzymatic activity some as yet unidentified humoral and metabolic changes associated with daily physical training are thought to play a role.     

Aberration of heme and hemoprotein in aged female rats

The magnitude and duration of drug action is determined partially by the activity of the drug metabolizing enzyme systems in the liver. The pharmacological effectiveness of many drugs is altered during the aging process. In this study, the regulation of heme metabolism and hemoprotein content was examined in livers of aged female rats. The activities of hexobarbital hydroxylase and aniline hydroxylase, indicators of mono-oxygenase function, were decreased in aged rats by 31% and 24%, respectively, as compared to values in young rats. This was accompanied by a proportional decrease in the level of cytochrome P-450 (26%). Additionally, the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALA-S), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme synthesis, and the microsomal concentration of heme were also decreased by 33% and 26%, respectively, in these animals. In contrast, the basal activity of microsomal heme oxygenase (MHO), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, and the percent heme saturation of tryptophan pyrrolase (TPO), a sensitive indicator of changes in the availability of heme in the "regulatory" heme pool, were increased by (87%) and (31%), respectively, in the aged rats. The serum concentration of bilirubin, an indicator of erythrocyte breakdown and/or liver function was likewise increased in these animals. In view of these findings, we suggest that the high activity of MHO and the low level of ALA-S may be a significant causative factor for the decreased microsomal concentration of heme, cytochrome-P-450 and its dependent monooxygenase activities in senescent female rats.     

Pharmacokinetics of hexobarbital in young and old rats

Hexobarbital is a drug widely used to study the capacity of the liver to metabolize drugs. The pharmacokinetics of hexobarbital in 3- and 30-month-old male BN/BiRij rats were studied. The half-life of hexobarbital in 30-month-old rats (34.9 ± 4.1 min) was significantly higher than that of 3-month-old ones (21.3 ± 3.8 min). The volume of distribution (ml·kg⁻¹ body weight) did not change with age. The intrinsic clearance, expressed as ml·min⁻°kg⁻¹ body weight, or hexobarbital in 30-month-old rats (2-.2 ± 6.6) was half that of the 3-month-old ones (39.5± 7.6). Further studies will be performed to investigate the effect of age on the intrinsic clearance of S(+)- and R(−) — hexobarbital.     

The effects of cimetidine,ranitidine and famotidine on rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 activities

It has been questioned whether the interaction of H₂-antagonists with cytochrome P-450 that is observedin vitro is also relevant for thein vivo situation. Until now the possibility that cytochrome P-450 may function with different modes of action has been neglected in this respect. We studied the effect of cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine on the monoxygenase, the oxidase and the peroxidase action of cytochrome P-450. Biotransformation catalyzed by the monoxygenase and oxidase action of cytochrome P-450 was affected by cimetidine (probably via its ligand interaction with cytochrome P-450), whereas metabolism by the peroxidase mode of action of cytochrome P-450 was hardly influenced. Ranitidine and famotidine (both pharmacodynamically more potent than cimetidine) only slightly affected cytochrome P-450 activities.     

NADPH-dependent and -independent loss of cytochrome P-450 in control and phenobarbital-induced rat hepatic microsomes incubated with carbon tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride-mediated loss of cytochrome P-450 has been compared in hepatic microsomes from untreated and phenobarbital-treated rats. At concentrations of carbon tetrachloride greater than 2.5 mM, a direct effect (i.e., NADPH- independent) on cytochrome P-450 was observed. This apparently arose from the "solvent" properties of carbon tetrachloride as this effect could be duplicated with the physically similar alkyl halide 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane. NADPH-dependent loss of cytochrome P-450 occurred at lower concentrations with maximal response occurring at 2.5-5.0 mM. Residual cytochrome P-450 at these concentrations was similar in untreated and phenobarbital-treated microsomes. Mixed-function oxidase activities in phenobarbital-treated microsomes were reduced to levels below those of uninduced controls. The 52-kDa polypeptide(s) in untreated microsomes and that specifically induced in phenobarbital-treated microsomes were susceptible to NADPH-dependent carbon tetrachloride incubation. These data suggest that the susceptibility of specific forms of cytochrome P-450 to carbon tetrachloride can be duplicated in in vitro incubation. Furthermore, data on the direct action of carbon tetrachloride suggest that this route of damage must be taken into consideration when concentrations of carbon tetrachloride of 2.5 mM or greater are used in in vitro incubation systems.     

Rat model of acute tetracycline hepatosis and its dynamic predictors

It is demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of tetracycline hydrochloride in a dose of 125 mg/kg leads to the development of acute fatty hepatosis in rats within a 24-h period, by which time the maximum accumulation of lipids and triacylglycerides is observed in the liver. In addition, a direct dependence is established between the severity of fatty hepatosis and a decrease in the cytochrome P-450 content. The cytochrome P-450 content is a dynamic predictor of tetracycline fatty hepatosis. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 603–605, December, 1994     

Induction of tolerance in mice and rats to the effect of endotoxin to decrease the hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system. Evidence for a possible macrophage-derived factor in the endotoxin effect

Daily administration of low, non-lethal doses of bacterial endotoxin to mice and rats has been shown to induce tolerance to the effect of an acute challenge dose of endotoxin to decrease the hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing activity, the level of cytochrome P-450, and to increase heme oxygenase activity. The serum collected at various times after injection of endotoxin into control animals when injected into untreated animals markedly depressed aniline hydroxylase activity, ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity, and the level of cytochrome P-450. Tolerant animals were not affected by the post-endotoxin serum injection, suggesting the decreased activity caused by the serum in untreated animals was probably due to endotoxin contained in the serum. Injection of tolerant mice and rats with supernatant medium obtained from cultures of peritoneal macrophages incubated with 100 micrograms/ml of endotoxin caused a loss of hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing activity, and a decrease in the level of cytochrome P-450. These results suggest that peritoneal macrophages release a factor in response to endotoxin that mediates the decreased hepatic mixed-function oxidase activity.