Metabolism of 7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene by rat liver microsomal enzymes and mutagenicity of metabolites

7,8-Dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene (7,8-H2BaP) was metabolized by rat liver microsomes to form 7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BaP trans-9,10-diol, 7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BaP cis-9,10-diol, 7-hydroxy-7,8-H2BaP, 8-hydroxy-7,8-H2BaP, two phenolic products of 7,8-H2BaP [abbreviated as 7,8-H2BaP phenol 1 and phenol 2 according to their elution order on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)], 4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-BaP trans-4,5-diol, BaP cis-7,8-dihydrodiol, BaP, and the metabolites known to be formed from the metabolism of BaP. Metabolites were isolated by reversed-phase and normal-phase HPLC and identified by ultraviolet-visible absorption and mass spectral analyses and by comparing their retention times with synthetic standards whenever available. The enantiomeric compositions of some mono-ol and diol metabolites were determined by chiral stationary phase HPLC. The optical purities of monool and diol metabolites formed were found to be dependent on the nature of cytochrome P-450 isozymes present in liver microsomes. Metabolites formed by liver microsomes from untreated, phenobarbital-treated, 3-methylcholanthrene-treated, and polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1254)-treated male Sprague-Dawley rats were quantified by using specifically tritium-labeled [10-3H]-7,8-H2BaP and liquid scintillation counting of fractions collected from reversed-phase HPLC. A portion (2-7% depending on the type of microsomes used) of the BaP found was formed nonenzymatically in microsomal metabolism of 7,8-H2BaP. The formations of other major metabolites were all cytochrome P-450 isozymes dependent since their formations were inhibited by carbon monoxide and were dependent on the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Furthermore, the formations of tetrahydrodiols, monools, and phenols were not inhibited by the epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, 3,3,3-trichloropropylene 1,2-oxide. The relative mutagenic activities toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 at 2 nmol of chemical per plate and 10 microliters of liver S9 fraction were: (+/-)BaP trans-7,8-dihydrodiol approximately equal to 7,8-H2BaP approximately equal to 7,8-H2BaP phenol 2 greater than (+/-)Bap cis-7,8-dihydrodiol greater than BaP approximately equal to 8-hydroxy-7,8-H2BaP greater than 7,8-H2BaP phenol 1 greater than 7-hydroxy-7,8-H2BaP. The results suggest that, in addition to the bay region 7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BaP 9,10-epoxide, metabolic products formed by hydroxylations at the aliphatic and aromatic carbons of 7,8-H2BaP and their subsequent metabolism at the 9,10-double bond may also contribute to the carcinogenic activities of 7,8-H2BaP.     

High-affinity nitrosamine dealkylase system in rat liver microsomes and its induction by fasting

In order to elucidate the enzymic basis of nitrosamine metabolism, the in vitro metabolism of nitrosamines by rat liver microsomes and the effects of fasting on the microsomal enzymes have been studied. Fasting for 1 to 3 days causes a 2- to 3-fold enhancement of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMAD) activity. The cytochrome P-450 content and the activities of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome P-450 reductase and benzphetamine demethylase, however, are only modestly increased. Gel electrophoretic analysis reveals the induction of a 50,000-dalton protein band during fasting. The induction of this protein band as well as the enhancement of NDMAD activity are inhibited by CoCl2 and inhibitors of protein and RNA biosynthesis. The involvement of cytochrome P-450 in the NDMAD is supported by the fact that microsomal reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome P-450 reductase is required for the demethylase activity. Kinetic analysis indicates that a low-Km form of NDMAD (apparent Km, 0.07 mM) is markedly induced by fasting. With microsomes of control rats, there are at least three apparent Km values (0.07, 0.38, and 38.6 mM) for NDMAD; but with microsomes of fasting rats, the low-Km (0.07 mM) form is predominant. These results suggest that rat liver microsomes contain a cytochrome P-450 isozyme which has high affinity for nitrosodimethylamine, and this isozyme is induced by fasting. In addition to nitrosodimethylamine, the oxidative demethylation of N-nitroso-N-methylethylamine, N-nitroso-N-methylbutylamine, N-nitroso-N-methylaniline, and N-nitroso-N-methylbenzylamine is also enhanced by fasting. The extent of enhancement and substrate dependency of these reactions, however, is different from that of NDMAD.     

Xenobiotic metabolism in human alveolar type II cells isolated by centrifugal elutriation and density gradient centrifugation

Alveolar type II cells were isolated from five human lung specimens obtained during resection or lobectomy and enriched to 63-85% purity. Digestion with Sigma protease type XIV followed by centrifugal elutriation and Percoll density gradient centrifugation yielded 1.2 +/- 0.4 X 10(6) cells/g lung in the type II cell fractions. The activities of some enzymes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics were determined in these freshly isolated type II cells and compared with activities in alveolar macrophages and fractions of unseparated cells from the same tissue samples. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome c reductase activity was similar in the three cell fractions from all five patients (18-29 nmol/mg protein/min). An antibody to rabbit reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome P-450 reductase inhibited reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome c reduction as much as 70% in microsomal preparations of the isolated human pulmonary cells, although this same antibody barely reacted with microsomes of the human cells in a Western blot assay. Epoxide hydrolase activity was highest in the alveolar type II cells (1.08 +/- 0.17 nmol/mg protein/min). This activity was 6 times higher than in the alveolar macrophage or unseparated cell fractions. 7-Ethoxycoumarin deethylase activity, a cytochrome P-450-dependent pathway, was low or undetectable in the three cell fractions. Trace amounts of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity (0.5-1.5 pmol/mg protein/min) were detected in microsomes of the isolated human cells, even though a polycyclic hydrocarbon-inducible cytochrome P-450 which metabolizes 7-ethoxyresorufin (form 6 in rabbits) was not detected immunochemically.     

Factors regulating activation and DNA alkylation by 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and nitrosodimethylamine in rat lung and isolated lung cells, and the relationship to carcinogenicity

The molecular dosimetry for O6-methylguanine (O6MG) formation in DNA from rat lung and pulmonary cells was compared following treatment for 4 days with equimolar doses of 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a potent pulmonary carcinogen or nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a weak carcinogen in rat lung. The dose response for O6MG formation from NNK was biphasic; the O6MG to dose ratio, an index of alkylation efficiency, increased dramatically as the dose of carcinogen was decreased. In contrast, the dose-response curve for methylation by NDMA appeared opposite of that for NNK with alkylation efficiency increasing as a function of dose. These results suggested that high and low Km pathways exist for the activation of NNK, whereas only high Km pathways may be involved in NDMA activation. Furthermore, DNA methylation by NNK was cell selective with the highest levels in the Clara cell, whereas methylation by NDMA was not. DNA methylation in the Clara cell was 50-fold greater by NNK than by NDMA at equimolar doses (0.005 mmol/kg). Thus, differences in O6MG formation, specifically the presence of a high affinity pathway in the Clara cell for activation of NNK, may explain why following low dose exposure, NNK is a potent pulmonary carcinogen while NDMA is not. Different cytochrome P-450 isozymes also appear to be involved in the activation of NNK and NDMA. Inhibition of in vitro methylation (with calf thymus DNA and lung microsomes) by antibodies to cytochrome P-450 isozymes provided evidence that a homolog of rabbit cytochrome P-450(2) (cytochrome P-450b) may be important in the activation of NNK in rat lung, whereas cytochrome P-450(5) may activate NDMA. A 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-inducible cytochrome P-450 isozyme (P-450c) may also be involved in the activation of NNK but not NDMA. Treatment with TCDD increased both NNK activation by pulmonary microsomes and the formation of O6MG in Clara cells and type II cells incubated in vitro with NNK. alpha-Naphthoflavone (alpha-NF), a specific inhibitor of cytochrome P-450c reversed the increase in methylation by TCDD-induced microsomes but did not inhibit in vitro activation of NNK using microsomes from untreated rats. However, NNK mediated O6MG formation in Clara cells, but not in type II cells incubated with alpha-NF, was decreased by 21%. These data indicate that both cytochrome P-450b and P-450c are probably involved in the activation of NNK in Clara cells from untreated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Metabolism of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) by cytochrome P450IIB1 in a reconstituted system.

Several previous studies have suggested that cytochrome P450IIB1 is involved in the bioactivation of the tobacco-specific carcinogen, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), in rats as well as in mouse lung microsomes. The present investigation was undertaken to study the metabolism of NNK by purified cytochrome P450IIB1 in a reconstituted system. The metabolites 4-hydroxy-4-(3-pyridyl) butyric acid (hydroxy acid), 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl) butyric acid (keto acid), 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl) butanol (keto aldehyde), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl-N-oxide)-1-butanone (NNK-N-oxide) and 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (keto alcohol) were quantitated by HPLC. The results showed that, in addition to alpha-hydroxylations, cytochrome P450IIB1 also catalyzed the formation of NNK-N-oxide efficiently, and to a certain extent, the conversion of NNK primary hydroxylation metabolites (keto aldehyde and keto alcohol) to secondary metabolites (keto acid and hydroxy acid). Cytochrome b5 at a ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 to P450IIB1 had no significant effect on the metabolic activities and profiles of NNK. The apparent Km values for the formation of keto aldehyde, NNK-N-oxide and keto alcohol were respectively 191.2, 131.4 and 318.0 microM with corresponding apparent Vmax values of 89.7, 295.5 and 333.3 pmol/min/nmol P450, indicating that hydroxylation at the alpha-methyl position is preferred over the alpha-methylene position. Measurement of formaldehyde, a product derived from the alpha-methyl hydroxylation, was developed as a convenient method to study NNK metabolism. Thiourea activated cytochrome P450IIB1-catalyzed NNK metabolism significantly. Phenethyl isothiocyanate, an inhibitor of NNK-induced lung carcinogenesis, inhibited P450IIB1-catalyzed NNK demethylation in a concentration-dependent manner. This work demonstrates that purified P450IIB1 can catalyze the conversion of NNK to most of its oxidative metabolites.     

Metabolism of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in human lung and liver microsomes and cytochromes P-450 expressed in hepatoma cells.

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a potent tobacco-specific carcinogen in animals, has been linked to tobacco-related cancers in humans. The cytochrome(s) P-450 (P-450) responsible for the metabolic activation of NNK in humans has not been identified. The present work investigated the ability of human lung and liver microsomes and 12 forms of human P-450, expressed in Hep G2 (hepatoma) cells, to metabolize NNK. Of the 12 P-450 forms, P-450 1A2 had the highest activity in catalyzing the conversion of NNK to the keto alcohol, 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. P-450s 2A6, 2B7, 2E1, 2F1, and 3A5 also had measurable activities in the formation of keto alcohol. The apparent Km and Vmax for the formation of keto alcohol in the P-450 1A2-expressed Hep G2 cell lysate were 309 microM and 55 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol, a reductive product, was the major metabolite formed, whereas the formation of keto alcohol and its aldehyde and acid derivatives (all alpha-hydroxylation products) constituted approximately 1% of the initial amount of NNK in P450-expressed Hep G2 cell lysate. A similar metabolite pattern was observed with human lung or liver microsomes. In human lung microsomes, the apparent Kms for the formation of 4-hydroxy-4-(3-pyridyl)butyric acid, 4-oxo-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, NNK-N-oxide, and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol were 526, 653, 531, and 573 microM, respectively; the formation of keto alcohol was not observed. For human lung microsomes, there was no sex-related difference in NNK metabolism. Carbon monoxide (90% atmosphere) significantly inhibited the metabolism of NNK in human lung and liver microsomes. 7,8-Benzoflavone, an inhibitor of P-450s 1A1 and 1A2, had no effect on NNK metabolism in human lung microsomes but decreased the formation of keto alcohol by 47% in human liver microsomes. Similarly, antibodies against human P-450s 1A2 and 2E1 decreased keto alcohol formation by 42% and 53%, respectively, in human liver microsomes but did not affect NNK metabolism in lung microsomes. Inhibitory antibodies against P-450s 2A1, 2C8, 2D1, or 3A4 had little or no effect on the metabolism of NNK in human liver or lung microsomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Depression of the hepatic cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system by treatment of mice with the antineoplastic agent 5-azacytidine

The effects of 5-azacytidine (5-AC) administration on the hepatic cytochrome P-450 systems of mice were studied. A single i.p. dose of 5-AC (25 mg/kg) to male Swiss-Webster mice caused about a 50% depression of microsomal cytochromes P-450 and b5 and of ethylmorphine N-demethylase and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activities. Depression was greatest 24 h after treatment; by 48 to 72 h, cytochromes and drug metabolism had returned to near control values. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome c reductase activity was also depressed by 5-AC, whereas reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-cytochrome c reductase was not. Incubation of 5-AC with microsomes produced no effect on drug metabolism. The prolongation of hexobarbital sleeping time by 5-AC showed that drug metabolism is also impaired by 5-AC in vivo. These studies may have important clinical implications when certain drugs are coadministered with 5-AC.     

Biological and biochemical properties of the 2-hydroxyl metabolites of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea.

The lethal and bone marrow toxicity and antitumor activity of the cis- and trans-2-hydroxylated metabolites of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) have been correlated with their relative in vitro alkylating and carbamoylating activities. Both the isomers have considerably greater alkylating activity and shorter chemical half-lives than the parent compound and on a molar basis have greater antitumor activity against i.p. L1210 leukemia. However, in terms of molar doses resulting in the death of 10% of normal mice, the cis- and trans-2 isomers were 2- and 3-fold more toxic than was CCNU in normal mice. In comparing the antitumor activity produced by a maximum nonlethal dose for each compound, we found that the trans isomer had activity identical to that of CCNU (413 and 410% increased life span compared to control), and the cis isomer had considerably less (152%). Like chlorozotocin, both isomers possess low carbamoylating activity and increased water solubility, two features that have been considered possible contributors to the bone marrow-sparing character of chlorozotocin. However, in the murine model the human bone marrow colony formation (CFU-C) assay neither hydroxylated metabolite of CCNU was associated with reduced myelotoxicity.     

The metabolism of benzo(alpha)pyrene in isolated rat liver cells.

Isolated rat liver cells catalyze the metabolism of benzo(alpha)pyrene (BP) with the resulting formation of phenols, dihydrodiols, and conjugates. The rate of the primary oxidative step in the process was similar to that catalyzed by isolated rat liver microsomes in the presence of a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating system and responded similarly to various inhibitors, including 2-diethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate, metyrapone, alpha-naphthoflavone, and hexobarbital. The level of cytoplasmic, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate was not rate limiting in liver cells isolated from either fed or fasted animals. The conjugates and dihydrodiols formed were readily excreted, whereas low concentrations of phenols accumulated intracellularly. The pattern of metabolites of BP was the same in isolated rat liver cells and in the isolated perfused rat liver. 3-Methylcholanthrene treatment of the rats caused a marked increase in cellular BP metabolism as well as in cytochrome P-450 concentration. The induced hemoprotein revealed characteristics similar to those previously established with isolated liver microsomes, i.e., increase in high-spin form, enhanced affinity for BP as revealed by a lower Michaelis constant, and sensitivity to the inhibitory action of alpha-naphthoflavone. After 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, phenols and dehydrodiols constituted a larger percentage of the total metabolites, indicating a more pronounced stimulation of the oxidative than of the conjugative step of BP metabolism by induction, and the dihydrodiols now tended to accumulate intracellularly.     

Quantitation of microsomal alpha-hydroxylation of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is activated to DNA alkylating species via two different alpha-hydroxylation pathways. Methylene hydroxylation leads to DNA methylation, whereas methyl hydroxylation yields DNA pyridyloxobutylation. We have developed a high-pressure liquid chromatography assay utilizing radiochemical detection that permits the determination of the extent of metabolism through each pathway in microsomal preparations. Levels of 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB) were used to measure the extent of methyl hydroxylation, whereas levels of the aldehyde, 4-oxo-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (OPB), were used to quantify the extent of methylene hydroxylation. Incubations of [5-3H]NNK with microsomes and cofactors were conducted in the presence of 5 mM sodium bisulfite to trap the reactive OPB. The inclusion of bisulfite did not affect the rate of NNK metabolism. Trapping the aldehyde also inhibited its further oxidation to the corresponding acid or reduction to HPB. Furthermore, the conversion of HPB to OPB made only a minor contribution to the OPB levels under our incubation conditions. Analysis of incubation mixtures containing [5-3H]NNK, cofactors, and either A/J mouse liver or lung microsomes demonstrated that OPB was a significant metabolite of NNK. The OPB:HPB ratio was greater in liver (1.5) than in lung (0.2-1) microsomal preparations. Apparent Km values for OPB and HPB formation in lung microsomes were 23.7 and 3.6 microM, respectively, whereas the corresponding values for liver microsomes were 19.1 and 73.8 microM, respectively. These data are consistent with the involvement of more than one cytochrome P-450 isozyme in the activation of NNK to DNA reactive species.     

Purification and characterization of cytochrome P-450 induced by benz(a)anthracene in mouse skin microsomes

Topical application of benz(a)anthracene to mouse skin elicited a 2-fold increase in cytochrome P-450 content, with accompanying increases in monooxygenase activities such as benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, and acetanilide 4-hydroxylation, in the microsomes. A major form of cytochrome P-450 was purified from skin microsomes of mice treated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. A specific content of 1.95 nmol/mg of protein, which corresponded to 48-fold purification from the microsomes, was observed. The purified protein produced a single major band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis having a molecular weight of 55,000. Using Western blotting, the band immunochemically cross-reacted with antibody which had been raised against rat liver cytochrome P-450MC-1. The purified preparation efficiently catalyzed benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation when reconstituted with NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. These activities were inhibited by 7,8-benzoflavone as well as anti-cytochrome P-450MC-1 antibody, but not by P-450PB-1 antibody. The results indicate that, in mouse skin microsomes, a cytochrome P-450 induced by benz(a)anthracene is enzymatically and immunochemically similar to rat liver cytochrome P-450MC-1. It is suggested that this enzyme plays an important role in the activation of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Positional specificity for methyl-n-amylnitrosamine hydroxylation by cytochrome P-450 isozymes determined with monoclonal antibodies

Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used to determine the contribution of epitope-specific cytochrome P-450 isozymes in rat liver microsomes to hydroxylation of the esophageal carcinogen methyl-n-amylnitrosamine. These P-450-catalyzed reactions form 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-hydroxymethyl-n-amylnitrosamine, formaldehyde (demethylation), and pentaldehyde (depentylation). With uninduced microsomes from male rats, MAb 1-68-11 inhibited 4-hydroxylation by 73% and demethylation by 46%. This indicated the major contribution of constitutive male-specific P-450 IIC11 to the metabolism. Inhibition studies with MAbs 2-66-3 and 1-91-3 indicated that P-450 IIB1 contributed 19% and IIE1 35% to demethylation. With uninduced microsomes from females, MAb 1-68-11 produced similar inhibitions to those in male rats, indicating that female-specific P-450 IIC12 (which is closely related to IIC11) also catalyzed 4-hydroxylation and demethylation. With microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene-induced male rats, P-450 IA1 and/or IA2 were responsible for 60% of 3-hydroxylation and 40% of depentylation. With microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats, P-450 IIB1 and IIB2 catalyzed all 6 reactions but especially 4-hydroxylation and depentylation, which were 50-75% inhibited by MAb 2-66-3. Microsomes from Aroclor-induced males behaved as if they were induced by both 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital. After treatment with isoniazid (a P-450 IIE1 inducer), inhibition by MAb 1-91-3 indicated a 45% contribution of P-450 IIE1 to demethylation, and both P-450 IIE1 and IIB1 (or IIB2) appear to have been induced. A major finding with uninduced microsomes was the high specificity of MAb 1-68-11 for inhibiting 4-hydroxylation, indicating that P-450 IIC11 and IIC12 catalyzed most of this omega-1-hydroxylation. In microsomes from induced rats, the MAb inhibitions showed the role of the induced P-450 IA1 (or IA2), IIB1 (or IIB2), and IIE1 in methyl-n-amylnitrosamine hydroxylation at different positions, as well as the presence of P-450 IIC11. This study illustrates the usefulness of inhibitory MAbs for defining the contribution of individual P-450s to position-specific metabolism.     

Metabolism of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in mouse lung microsomes and its inhibition by isothiocyanates

The tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) induces lung tumors in rats, mice, and hamsters, and metabolic activation is required for the carcinogenicity. 2-Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), whose precursor gluconasturtiin (a glucosinolate) occurs in cruciferous vegetables, has been found to inhibit carcinogenesis by NNK. The purpose of the study was to investigate the enzymes involved in the metabolism of NNK in lung microsomes and to elucidate the mechanisms of inhibition of NNK metabolism by isothiocyanates. NNK metabolism in lung microsomes (isolated from female A/J mice) resulted in the formation of formaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (keto alcohol), 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyric acid (keto acid), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl-N-oxide)-1-butanone, and 4-(methyl-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol, displaying apparent Km values of 5.6, 5.6, 9.2, 4.7, and 2540 microM, respectively. Higher Km values in the formation of formaldehyde and keto alcohol were also observed. When cytochrome P-450 inhibitors [2-(diethylamino)ethyl 2,2-diphenylpentenoate] hydrochloride (100 microM), carbon monoxide (90%), and 9-hydroxyellipticine (10 microM) were used, NNK metabolism was inhibited by each 70, 100, and 30%, respectively. Methimazole (1 mM), an inhibitor of the flavin-dependent monooxygenase, inhibited the formation of 4-(methyl-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl-N-oxide)-1-butanone and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol by 20%, but had no effect on the formation of keto alcohol. Inhibitory antibodies against cytochromes P-450IIB1 and -2, P-450IA1, and P-450IA2 inhibited the formation of keto alcohol by 25, 15, and 0%, respectively. Administration of PEITC at doses of 5 and 25 mumol/mouse 2 h before sacrifice produced a 40 and 70% decrease in microsomal NNK metabolism, respectively. PEITC and 3-phenylpropyl isothiocyanate exhibited a mixed type of inhibition, and the competitive component of inhibition had apparent Ki values of 90 and 30 nM, respectively. Preincubation of PEITC in the presence of a NADPH-generating system did not result in a further decrease in the formation of NNK metabolites, indicating that the metabolism of PEITC was not required for the inhibition. When a series of isothiocyanates with varying alkyl chain length (phenyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate, PEITC, 3-phenylpropyl isothiocyanate, and 4-phenylbutyl isothiocyanate) were used, the potency of the inhibition increased with the increase in chain length.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Reductive metabolism of the nitroimidazole-based hypoxia-selective cytotoxin NLCQ-1 (NSC 709257)

The enzymatic cell-free metabolism of the novel hypoxia-selective cytotoxin 4-[3-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-propylamino]-7-chloroquinoline hydrochloride (NLCQ-1) was investigated under hypoxic or aerobic conditions in the presence of purified reductive enzymes or isolated rat liver microsomes by monitoring the parent compound with HPLC-UV analysis. Enzymatic reduction of NLCQ-1 with isolated rat liver microsomes and NADPH or NADH showed that, only under hypoxic conditions, ca. 45% and 60% of the parent compound was reduced, respectively, within 1 h of incubation (37 degrees C). Under identical conditions but in the presence of 2'-AMP (a P450 reductase inhibitor), 6-propyl-2-thiouracil or p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (cytochrome b5 reductase inhibitors), NLCQ-1 reduction was inhibited. Enzymatic cell-free metabolism of NLCQ-1 with recombinant human DT-diaphorase (DTD) and NADPH or NADH under hypoxic or aerobic conditions showed that < or = 5% of the compound was reduced within 2 h. Reduction kinetics with human P450 reductase-expressing microsomes showed ca. 75% or 50% reduction of NLCQ-1 under hypoxic or aerobic conditions, respectively, after 2 h incubation. These results suggest that DTD is not involved in the initial steps of the bioreductive metabolism of NLCQ-1, although it could be involved with metabolites of NLCQ-1, and that cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 reductases play a significant role in the bioreductive metabolism of NLCQ-1.     

Metabolism of aflatoxin B1 in the upper airways of the rabbit: role of the nonciliated tracheal epithelial cell

Short-term tracheal explant cultures from the rabbit were used to study the metabolism of the carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and to determine the cell types that are susceptible to damage by AFB1 and their relative contents of monooxygenase enzymes. Tracheas were cultured in serum-free medium for 0.5-24 h with 0.7 microM [3H]AFB1, and metabolism was measured by determining the level of binding of the carcinogen to DNA and by the release of metabolites into the medium. The binding of aflatoxin B1 was time dependent and appeared to peak at 12 h in culture. In addition, the metabolites aflatoxicol, aflatoxin M1, and aflatoxin Q1 were produced by the explants. Ultrastructural evaluation of cultured tracheas showed degenerative changes exclusively in nonciliated secretory cells after 4 h in culture. Extensive nonciliated secretory cell necrosis was evident by 12 h. Ciliated cells did not show degenerative changes until 12 h and appeared much more viable after 24-h exposure to AFB1 relative to the nonciliated cells. Tracheal sections stained to demonstrate rabbit lung cytochrome P-450, Forms 2 and 5, and cytochrome P-450 reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reductase by an immunoperoxidase technique showed intense staining selectively within nonciliated cells. In total, the data revealed that: (a) rabbit tracheal explants are able to metabolize aflatoxin B1; (b) the nonciliated secretory cell population in this tissue is the target cell for cytotoxicity of this carcinogen; and (c) as is the case in the more distal airways, the nonciliated epithelial cells appear to have a high content of components of the pulmonary cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system, which may be an important factor in the susceptibility of these cells and this region of the airways to suspected airborne carcinogens.     

Metabolism of N-nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine by isozymes of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450

The cis isomer of N-nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine (NNDM), a pancreatic carcinogen for the Syrian golden hamster, is metabolized by hamster liver microsomes to yield N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine (HPOP) as the major product. Rabbit liver microsomes catalyze the metabolism of cis-NNDM to HPOP at a rate slower than that observed with hamster microsomes, but significantly faster than that obtained with rat microsomes. Pretreatment of rabbits with phenobarbital results in a 6-fold increase in the cis-NNDM hydroxylase activity of the rabbit microsomes to levels equal to that observed with the hamster; pretreatment of rabbits with other xenobiotics had no effect on the hydroxylation of cis-NNDM. The role of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 in the metabolism of the cis isomer of NNDM was studied in the reconstituted system consisting of NADPH:cytochrome P-450 reductase, phospholipid, and cytochrome P-450. Cytochrome P-450LM2, which is induced by pretreatment with phenobarbital, exhibited the highest activity for the metabolism of cis-NNDM. The Vmax for the formation of HPOP was 1.78 nmol/min/nmol cytochrome P-450LM2, and the apparent Km was 360 microM. Cytochrome P-450LM3a also catalyzed the metabolism of NNDM to HPOP at a significant rate (0.25 nmol/min/nmol cytochrome P-450). Of the four other isozymes of cytochrome P-450 (forms 3b, 3c, 4, and 6) tested in the reconstituted system, only forms 3b and 3c exhibited measurable activities (approximately 0.04 nmol of HPOP formed/min/nmol cytochrome P-450). The addition of antibodies to isozyme 2 to microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rabbits resulted in approximately 95% inhibition of the metabolism of NNDM, while the addition of antibodies to LM3a inhibited NNDM metabolism by only 7%. In microsomes from untreated rabbits, inhibition by anti-LM2 and anti-LM3a antibodies was 50 and 64%, respectively. The addition of antibodies to isozyme 3a to microsomes isolated from ethanol-treated rabbits caused approximately 90% inhibition of the metabolism of NNDM. These data conclusively demonstrate that several forms of cytochrome P-450 can catalyze the metabolism of cis-NNDM and that isozymes 2 and 3a play important roles in the rabbit hepatic metabolism of NNDM to HPOP, the proximate carcinogenic metabolite.     

Comparative metabolism of 1-, 2-, and 4-nitropyrene by human hepatic and pulmonary microsomes

Determining the capability of humans to metabolize the mononitropyrene (mono-NP) isomers 1-, 2-, and 4-NP and understanding which human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are involved in their activation and/or detoxification is important in the assessment of individual susceptibility to these environmental carcinogens. We compared the ability of 15 human hepatic and 8 pulmonary microsomal samples to metabolize each of the three isomers. Human hepatic microsomes were competent in metabolizing all three isomers. Qualitatively similar metabolic patterns were observed, although at much lower levels, upon incubating mono-NP with pulmonary microsomes. Ring-oxidized metabolites (phenols and trans-dihydrodiols) were produced from all three isomers. However, the nitroreductive metabolism leading to the formation of aminopyrene was evident only with 4-NP. The role of specific P450 enzymes in the human hepatic microsomal metabolism of mono-NP was investigated by correlating the P450-dependent catalytic activities in each microsomal sample with the levels of individual metabolites formed by the same microsomes and by examining the effects of agents that can either inhibit or stimulate specific P450 enzymes in mono-NP metabolism. On the basis of these studies, we attribute most of the hepatic microsomal metabolism of 1- and 4-NP to P450 3A4, although a minor role for P450 1A2 cannot be ruled out. Specifically, P450 3A4 was responsible for the formation of 3-hydroxy-1nitropyrene from 1-NP and the formation of trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10dihydroxy-4-nitropyrene, 9(10)-hydroxy-4-nitropyrene, and 4-aminopyrene from 4-NP. None of the P450 enzymes examined (P450s 3A4, 1A2, 2E1, 2A6, 2D6, and 2C9) appeared to be involved in catalyzing the formation of trans-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxy-2-nitropyrene and 6-hydroxy-2-nitropyrene from 2-NP in human hepatic microsomes. These results, the first report on the comparative metabolism of mono-NP in humans, clearly demonstrate that the role of specific human P450 enzymes in catalyzing oxidative and reductive pathways of mono-NP is dependent upon the position of the nitro group.     

Metabolic activation of mutagenic tryptophan pyrolysis products (Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2) by a purified cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system

Tryptophan pyrolysis products, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2, were activated to metabolites mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium by cotychorome P-450 purified from rat liver microsomes. Of the four purified cytochrome P-450 preparations tested, PCB P-448 and MC P-448 showed high activity, while PCB P-450 and PB P-450 were less active. The number of revertants was proportional to the amount of cytochrome PCB P-448 added under the conditions used.     

Studies on the mechanism of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU)-induced hepatotoxicity

Summary The present study characterizes the biochemical, morphological, and histological sites of CCNU-induced hepatotoxicity and investigates the effect of modifiers of drug metabolism on this toxicity. A single oral dose (100 mg/kg) of CCNU caused four- and ninefold increases in serum GOT and GPT respectively 48 h after administration in rats. A 25-fold rise in serum bilirubin, a total loss of bile flow, and a decrease in BSP clearance were also observed. Cytochrome P-450 content and EM-N-demethylase activity were significantly decreased to 88% and 66% of control values respectively. A histopathological time course study of CCNU-induced injury showed a progression of acute inflammation, edema, and fibrin deposition in portal areas over 24 h with necrosis and sloughing of bile duct epithelium at 24 and 36 h. Treatment of rats with PB (40 mg/kg/day for 4 days, i.p.) 24 h prior to CCNU administration protected against CCNU-induced hepatotoxicity. Thus, the levels of serum GOT, GPT, and bilirubin were only 2.5 and 4 times higher than in untreated or PB-treated controls. Histopathological examination also showed reduced severity of bile duct lesions in PB-pretreated animals. In rats receiving both PB and CCNU, bile flow was restored and BSP clearance was increased compared to the CCNU-treated rats. The mixed-function oxidase activity in PB–CCNU-treated rats was not significantly different from that in PB-treated controls. It is concluded that pretreatment of rats with PB can markedly suppress the hepatotoxic manifestations, including histopathological changes, the rise in serum bilirubin, and the cholestasis observed in CCNU-treated rats.Abbreviations CCNU 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea - PB phenobarbital - AST aspartate amine transferase - ALT alanine amine transferase - AP alkaline phosphatase - BSP bromosulfophthalein - UDPGA uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid - UDPGT, UDP glucuronyl transferase - GT glucuronide transferase - ATP adenosine triphosphate - EM ethylmorphine - NADP^– nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate This work was supported by a grant from NIH CA 25505 and Cancer Center (Core) Grant CA 17701     

Biotransformations of daunorubicin aglycones by rat liver microsomes

Daunorubicin is biotransformed anaerobically by rat liver microsomes with a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating system to form a series of aglycones. The first reaction, reductive cleavage of daunosamine (at C-7 in ring A) to form the 7- deoxyaglycone , is followed by reduction of the C-13 keto group. The 7- hydroxyaglycone may also form by hydrolytic cleavage of the amino sugar followed then by the same C-13 keto reduction. These reactions are not inhibited by beta- diethylaminoethyldiphenylpropyl acetate, whereas subsequent reactions in the D ring of the aglycones can be completely blocked by this cytochrome P-450 inhibitor: reductive and hydrolytic cleavage of the C-4 methoxy group. Thus, five reactions at three sites are described and theoretical pathways are proposed for the expected 12 aglycones from daunorubicin.