Depression of the hepatic cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

The effects of the neurotoxic compound, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on the hepatic cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system were assessed using C57 BL/6J mice. Treatment with MPTP caused a marked depression of hepatic cytochrome P-450 content, ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase and NADPH cytochrome C reductase activities. This effect was maximal 3 to 6 hours after treatment and was dependent on the dose of MPTP administered. Depression of spectrophotometrically measured cytochrome P-450 content was associated with increase in cytochrome P-420 content and lipid peroxidation. In vitro studies showed the formation of a metabolic-intermediate complex with cytochrome P-450 which may partially explain the depression of cytochrome P-450 content and activity by MPTP.