Burhan I. Ghanayem

Prostaglandin synthase 1 gene disruption in mice reduces arachidonic acid-induced inflammation and indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration

Cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) are key enzymes in prostaglandin biosynthesis and the target enzymes for the widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To study the physiological roles of the individual isoforms, we have disrupted the mouse Ptgs1 gene encoding COX-1. Homozygous Ptgs1 mutant mice survive well, have no gastric pathology, and show less indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration than wild-type mice, even though their gastric prostaglandin E2 levels are about 1% of wild type. The homozygous mutant mice have reduced platelet aggregation and a decreased inflammatory response to arachidonic acid, but not to tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate. Ptgs1 homozygous mutant females mated to homozygous mutant males produce few live offspring. COX-1-deficient mice provide a useful model to distinguish the physiological roles of COX-1 and COX-2.

Polymorphisms in human CYP2C8 decrease metabolism of the anticancer drug paclitaxel and arachidonic acid.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 is the principal enzyme responsible for the metabolism of the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel (Taxol). It is also the predominant P450 responsible for the metabolism of arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in human liver and kidney. In this study, we describe two new CYP2C8 alleles containing coding changes: CYP2C8*2 has an Ile269Phe substitution in exon 5 and CYP2C8*3 includes both Arg139Lys and Lys399Arg amino acid substitutions in exons 3 and 8. CYP2C8*2 was found only in African-Americans, while CYP2C8*3 occurred primarily in Caucasians. Neither occurred in Asians. The frequency of the CYP2C8*2 allele was 0.18 in African-Americans, and that of CYP2C8*3 was 0.13 in Caucasians. CYP2C8*1 (wild-type), CYP2C8*2 and CYP2C8*3 cDNAs were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the ability of these enzymes to metabolize both paclitaxel and arachidonic acid was assessed. Recombinant CYP2C8*3 was defective in the metabolism of both substrates. The turnover number of CYP2C8*3 for paclitaxel was 15% of CYP2C8*1. CYP2C8*2 had a two-fold higher Km and two-fold lower intrinsic clearance for paclitaxel than CYP2C8*1. CYP2C8*3 was also markedly defective in the metabolism of arachidonic acid to 11,12- and 14,15-EET (turnover numbers 35-40% that of CYP2C8*1). Thus, CYP2C8*3 is defective in the metabolism of two important CYP2C8 substrates: the anticancer drug paclitaxel and the physiologically important compound arachidonic acid. This polymorphism has important clinical and physiological implications in individuals homozygous for this allele.

Diet-induced obesity in male mice is associated with reduced fertility and potentiation of acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity.

Abstract The prevalence of human obesity and related chronic disorders such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer is rapidly increasing. Human studies have shown a direct relationship between obesity and infertility. The objective of the current work was to examine the effect of diet-induced obesity on male fertility and the effect of obesity on susceptibility to chemical-induced reproductive toxicity. From 5 to 30 wk of age, genetically intact male C57Bl/6J mice were fed a normal diet or one in which 60% of the kilocalories were from lard. Obese mice exhibited significant differences in the mRNA of several genes within the testes in comparison to lean males. Pparg was increased 2.2-fold, whereas Crem, Sh2b1, Dhh, Igf1, and Lepr were decreased 6.7, 1.4, 3.2, 1.6, and 7.2-fold, respectively. The fertility of male mice was compared through mating with control females. Acrylamide (AA)-induced reproductive toxicity was assessed in obese or lean males treated with water or 25 mg AA kg−1 day−1 via gavage for 5 days and then mated to control females. Percent body fat and weight were significantly increased in mice fed a high-fat vs. a normal diet. Obesity resulted in significant reduction in plugs and pregnancies of control females partnered with obese vs. lean males. Serum leptin and insulin levels were each approximately 5-fold higher in obese vs. age-matched lean mice. Sperm from obese males exhibited decreased motility and reduced hyperactivated progression vs. lean mice. Treatment with AA exacerbated male infertility of obese and lean mice; however, this effect was more pronounced in obese mice. Further, females partnered with AA-treated obese mice exhibited a further decrease in the percentage of live fetuses, whereas the percentage of resorptions increased. This work demonstrated that diet-induced obesity in mice caused a significant reduction in male fertility and exacerbated AA-induced reproductive toxicity and germ cell mutagenicity.

An additional defective allele, CYP2C19*5, contributes to the S-mephenytoin poor metabolizer phenotype in Caucasians.

The metabolism of the anticonvulsant drug mephenytoin exhibits a genetic polymorphism in humans. This polymorphism exhibits marked racial heterogeneity, with the poor metabolizer PM phenotype representing 13-23% of oriental populations, but only 2-5% of Caucasian populations. Two defective CYP2C19 alleles (CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3) have been described, which account for more than 99% of Oriental poor metabolizer alleles but only approximately 87% of Caucasian poor metabolizer alleles. Therefore, additional defects presumably contribute to the poor metabolizer in Caucasians. Recent studies have found a third mutation CYP2C19*4, which accounts for approximately 3% of Caucasian poor metabolizer alleles. A fourth rare mutation (CYP2C19*5A) (C99,A991,Ile331;C1297T,Arg433-->Trp) resulting in an Arg433 to Trp substitution in the heme-binding region has been reported in a single Chinese poor metaboliser outlier belonging to the Bai ethnic group. The present study identifies a second variant allele CYP2C19*5B (C99-->T; A991-->G, Ile331-->Val; C1297-T, Arg433-->Trp in one of 37 Caucasian poor metabolizers. The frequency of the CYP2C19*5 alleles is low in Chinese (approximately 0.25% in the Bai ethnic group) and Caucasians (< 0.9%). However, these alleles contribute to the poor metabolizer phenotype in both ethnic groups and increases the sensitivity of the genetic tests for identifying defective alleles to approximately 100% in Chinese poor metabolizers and 92% in Caucasian poor metabolizers genotyped in our laboratory. The Arg433 to Trp mutation in the heme-binding region essentially abolishes activity of recombinant CYP2C19*5A toward S-mephenytoin and tolbutamide, which is consistent with the conclusion that CYP2C19*5 represents poor metabolizer alleles.

Comparison of Germ Cell Mutagenicity in Male CYP2E1-Null and Wild-Type Mice Treated with Acrylamide: Evidence Supporting a Glycidamide-Mediated Effect

Abstract Acrylamide is an animal carcinogen and probable human carcinogen present in appreciable amounts in heated carbohydrate-rich foodstuffs. It is also a germ cell mutagen, inducing dominant lethal mutations and heritable chromosomal translocations in postmeiotic sperm of treated mice. Acrylamides affinity for male germ cells has sometimes been overlooked in assessing its toxicity and defining human health risks. Previous investigations of acrylamides germ cell activity in mice showed stronger effects after repeated administration of low doses compared with a single high dose, suggesting the possible involvement of a stable metabolite. A key oxidative metabolite of acrylamide is the epoxide glycidamide, generated by cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1). To explore the role of CYP2E1 metabolism in the germ cell mutagenicity of acrylamide, CYP2E1-null and wild-type male mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection with 0, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg acrylamide (5 ml saline)−1 kg−1 day−1 for 5 consecutive days. At defined times after exposure, males were mated to untreated B6C3F1 females. Females were killed in late gestation and uterine contents were examined. Dose-related increases in resorption moles (chromosomally aberrant embryos) and decreases in the numbers of pregnant females and the proportion of living fetuses were seen in females mated to acrylamide-treated wild-type mice. No changes in any fertility parameters were seen in females mated to acrylamide-treated CYP2E1-null mice. Our results constitute the first unequivocal demonstration that acrylamide-induced germ cell mutations in male mice require CYP2E1-mediated epoxidation of acrylamide. Thus, CYP2E1 polymorphisms in human populations, resulting in variable enzyme metabolic activities, may produce differential susceptibilities to acrylamide toxicities.

Assessment of the Haemolytic Activity of 2-Butoxyethanol and its Major Metabolite, Butoxyacetic Acid, in Various Mammals Including Humans

2-Butoxyethanol (BE) is a glycol ether produced in volumes exceeding 335 million pounds/year for industrial and domestic uses. BE causes acute haemolytic anaemia in rats and some other mammals. While BE is inactive in vitro, 2-butoxyacetic acid (BAA) is a potent haemolytic agent in vivo and in vitro. This finding suggests that metabolic activation of BE to BAA is required for haemolysis of erythrocytes to occur in vivo. Haemolysis of red blood cells (RBC) by BAA is preceded by swelling (increased mean cell volume [MCV] and haematocrit [HCT]). In an attempt to assess the potential risk to humans exposed to BE, studies were designed to determine the in vitro effect of BAA on RBCs from 10 mammalian species including humans. Blood samples from each mammalian species (n=3-5) were incubated with BAA at a final concentration of 0 (vehicle), 1 or 2 mM and kept at 37°C in a gently shaking water bath. Complete blood counts (CBCs) were measured at 0, 1, 2 and 4 h. BAA caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in MCV and HCT of blood from rats, mice and hamsters (rodents), rabbits (lagomorphs), and baboons (primates). In contrast, blood from pigs (artiodactyis), dogs and cats (carnivores), guinea pigs (rodents/marsupials), and humans (primates), was minimally affected by BAA. These results were confirmed in guinea pigs and rats in vivo. Gavage administration of BE (250 mg kg-1) to rats resulted in increased MCV and HCT followd by haemolysis (decreased RBCs). Identical treatment with BE resulted in no significant change in these parameters in guinea pigs. These data clearly demonstrated that BE-induced haemolytic anaemia is species-dependent. This information may prove important for selecting appropriate animal models for use in the assessment of the health risk to humans exposed to BE. Future studies will focus on the cellular basis of the differential sensitivity of RBCs from various mammals to BAA.

Metabolic and cellular basis of 2-butoxyethanol-induced hemolytic anemia in rats and assessment of human risk in vitro

Recent work in this laboratory indicated that 2-butoxyethanol (BE) causes acute hemolytic anemia in rats, and activation of BE to butoxyacetic acid (BAA), presumably through the intermediate 2-butoxyacetaldehyde (BAL), is a prerequisite for development of hematotoxicity. In the present studies, the effects of BE and its metabolites, BAL and BAA, on erythrocytes from rats and humans were investigated in vitro. Incubation of BE (up to 10 mM) with blood from male F344 rats caused no hemolysis and resulted in no metabolic alteration of BE. Further, addition of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, with their co-factors, to the incubation mixture failed to alter BE or its effect. At 20 mM, BE caused significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) hemolysis of rat erythrocytes accompanied by a significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) decrease in hematocrit (HCT). In contrast, incubation of BAL or BAA with rat blood caused time- and concentration-dependent swelling of red blood cells followed by hemolysis; however, BAA was significantly more efficacious than BAL. Addition of aldehyde dehydrogenase and its co-factors significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) potentiated the effect of BAL on rat erythrocytes. Further in vitro investigation of the cellular mechanisms involved in the hemolytic effect revealed that incubation of rat blood with BAA or BAL caused a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in blood ATP concentration. As observed with the hemolytic effects, the decrease in blood ATP was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) greater with BAA than with BAl and was not induced by BE. Further, BAA caused no significant changes in the concentration of reduced glutathione and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat erythrocytes. Assessment of human sensitivity by incubation of human blood with BAA showed minimal swelling or hemolysis of erythrocytes with minimal decline in blood ATP levels at BAA concentrations several-fold higher than required to cause complete hemolysis of rat erythrocytes. In summary, the current studies confirm that the hemolytic effect of BE can be attributed primarily to its metabolite BAA, that hemolysis of rat erythrocytes by BAA or BAL is preceded by swelling and ATP depletion, suggesting that the erythrocyte membrane is the most likely target, and, finally, that human erythrocytes are comparatively insensitive to the hemolytic effects of BAA in vitro.

Using cytochrome P-450 gene knock-out mice to study chemical metabolism, toxicity, and carcinogenicity:

Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes are heme-containing proteins that carry out oxidative metabolism of a wide range of structurally diverse exogenous chemicals and therapeutic agents as well as endogenous compounds. For some of these xenobiotics, oxidative metabolism results in the formation of toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic metabolites. In the past, the role of CYP enzymes in metabolism and chemical-induced toxicity was studied indirectly through use of specific antibodies or inducers and inhibitors of these enzymes. Progress in molecular biology and the ability to bioengineer animal models that do not express CYP1A2, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP2E1, or both CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 isozymes has allowed for direct investigations of the in vivo role of these enzymes in the metabolism, toxicity, and carcinogenicity of xenobiotics. This article reviews research conducted to date that utilizes these genetically bioengineered mice in metabolism, toxicity, or carcinogenicity studies of chemicals. Some studies showed a positive correlation between in vivo results and in vitro predictions for the role of a specific CYP in chemical-induced effects, whereas other studies did not support in vitro predictions. Work reviewed herein demonstrates the importance of using animal models for investigating the role of specific CYP enzymes in metabolism and chemical-induced toxicity or carcinogenicity rather than relying solely on in vitro techniques. Eventually, studies of this nature will facilitate a more accurate assessment of human risks with regard to chemicals by helping us to understand the relationships between chemical metabolism, carcinogenicity, and polymorphisms in CYP enzymes.

Development of tolerance to 2-butoxyethanol-induced hemolytic anemia and studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms

Early work demonstrated that a single administration of 2-butoxyethanol (BE) causes acute hemolytic anemia in rats. Current studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of repetitive daily dosing of BE on the hematologic parameters of male F344 rats. Treatment of rats with BE daily (125 mg/kg/day) for 1 to 3 consecutive days resulted in a time-dependent increase in the hemolysis of erythrocytes. However, when daily treatment with BE continued beyond 3 days, the number of erythrocytes began to rebound and approached pretreatment levels within 12 days despite continued daily exposure, suggesting development of tolerance to the hemolytic effect of BE. In vivo and in vitro studies were designed to investigate the underlying mechanism(s) of tolerance to the hematotoxicity of BE. Rats were treated with 125 mg BE/kg/day for 3 days followed by a 7-day recovery. At the end of this recovery period, rats were challenged with a single 125 or 250 mg BE/kg dose and the hematologic profiles were assessed at 2, 8, and 24 hr later. A significant decline in the sensitivity of BE-pretreated/recovered rats compared to vehicle-pretreated rats was observed. Further, in vitro incubation of blood obtained from BE-pretreated/recovered with the hematotoxic metabolite of BE, 2-butoxyacetic acid (BAA), revealed that erythrocytes obtained from these rats were significantly less sensitive to BAA than those obtained from normal rats. These studies suggested that tolerance is due, at least in part, to the lesser sensitivity of young erythrocytes formed during the regeneration process. In another study, rats were rendered anemic by bleeding followed by a 7-day recovery. BE administration to bled/recovered rats demonstrated that these rats were less sensitive than rats which were not subjected to bleeding. In vitro incubation of blood obtained from the bled/recovered animals with BAA demonstrated that erythrocytes were significantly less sensitive to BAA than those obtained from control rats. This further confirmed that young erythrocytes, formed during the regeneration process, were less sensitive to BAA than older erythrocytes. Current data also suggested that it is unlikely that tolerance is caused by modification of BE metabolism in rats repetitively exposed to this chemical. In conclusion, chronic exposure to BE would be expected to result in tolerance to BE-induced hemolytic anemia. The mechanisms responsible are likely related to the fact that older cells are more susceptible to BE and BAA and that hemolysis of these cells during the initial exposure followed by their replacement with less susceptible younger cells may account for tolerance development.

Structure-activity relationships for the in vitro hematotoxicity of N-alkoxyacetic acids, the toxic metabolites of glycol ethers.

Ethylene glycol mono-n-alkyl ethers are a major class of industrial chemicals which cause a wide range of toxic effects in laboratory animals including reproductive and developmental toxicity, as well as hematotoxicity. Alkoxyacetic acids are the major metabolites of ethylene glycol ethers and are considered to be the proximate toxic metabolites. The structure-toxicity relationships of these acids are well documented in the reproductive and developmental systems. Therefore, current studies were conducted to investigate the structure-activity relationships of these acids for hematotoxicity in rat blood in vitro. Results presented here indicate that the effects of various alkoxyacetic acids on rat erythrocytes are qualitatively similar and comprise early swelling followed by hemolysis. The ranking of the activity of these acids was as follows: butoxyacetic acid (BAA) greater than propoxyacetic acid approximately equal to pentoxyacetic acid greater than ethoxyacetic acid greater than methoxyacetic acid. Furthermore, this effect of alkoxyacetic acids was associated with a parallel decrease in blood ATP levels. It is currently unknown if swelling or ATP depletion is the primary effect of these acids. In addition, at equimolar concentrations neither heptanoic, butoxypropionic, nor propoxypropionic acids caused any significant effect on rat erythrocytes in vitro. This suggests that the presence and position of the ether linkage, as it is in BAA, are critical for the development of hematotoxicity. Studies of the relationship between the toxic effect of BAA and its partitioning between erythrocytes and plasma showed that the concentration of [14C]BAA in plasma remained relatively constant while that in the erythrocytes increased as a function of time. This pattern of BAA distribution between plasma and erythrocytes was parallel to erythrocyte swelling. Incubation of BAA with rat blood for 30 min followed by removal of BAA by washing the erythrocytes twice and then continuing the incubation revealed that erythrocyte swelling was not reversible, however, the rate of swelling declined significantly.