Vincenzo Longo

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes by enrofloxacin in the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Currently, there are no reports on the effects of enrofloxacin (EF), a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, on the cytochrome p450 enzymes in fish, although its use as antimicrobial agent in aquaculture has been put forward. Therefore, the in vivo and in vitro effects of EF on hepatic p450 enzymes of sea bass, a widespread food-producing fish, have been evaluated. Sea bass pretreated with a single dose of EF (3 mg/kg i.p.) or with three daily doses of EF (1 mg/kg i.p.) markedly depressed the microsomal N-demethylation of aminopyrine, erythromycin, the O-deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin, ethoxyresorufin and the 6beta-testosterone hydroxylase. In vitro experiments showed that EF at 10 microM inhibited the above-mentioned activities and, in particular, the erythromycin N-demethylase (ERND) and 6beta-testosterone-hydroxylase, likely dependant on a p450 3A isoform. When the nature of ERND inhibition by EF was specifically studied with sea bass liver microsomes, it was found that EF is a potent mechanism-based inhibitor, with K(i) of 3.7 microM and a K(inact) of 0.045 min(-1). An immunoblot analysis with anti p450 3A27 of trout showed that the p450 3A isoform, constitutively expressed in sea bass, is particularly susceptible to inactivation by EF. In vitro experiments with sea bass microsomes have also demonstrated that EF is oxidative deethylated by the p450 system to ciprofloxacin (CF) and that this compound maintains the ability to inactivate the p450 enzymes. The mechanism by which EF or CF inactivate the p450 enzymes has not been studied but an attack of p450 on the cyclopropan ring, present, both in EF and CF structure, with the formation of electrophilic intermediates (i.e. radicals) has been postulated. In conclusion, the EF seems to be a powerful inhibitor of p450s in the sea bass. Therefore, the clinical use of this antibiotic in aquaculture has to be considered with caution.

Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in human respiratory nasal mucgsa

Study of oxidative and non-oxidative xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes was undertaken in microsomal and cytosolic fractions of two human livers, 10 individual and several pooled samples of human respiratory nasal mucosa obtained by surgical operation of male and female patients affected by hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates. The purity of nasal microsomes was checked by electron microscopy and marker enzyme assay. The pooled samples of respiratory nasal epithelium contained, relative to liver, a low amount of cytochrome P450 (about 25 pmol/mg protein) and associated biotransformation activities, and a low level of other components of the mixed-function oxidase system such as cytochrome b5, NADH and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase however the NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activity was comparable to that of liver. The P450-dependent monooxygenase activities such as ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and the dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase were found in nearly all nasal microsomal specimens. The aniline hydroxylase and the aminopyrine or hexamethylphosphoramide N-demethylases were detected only in the pooled nasal samples. With regard to the non-oxidative enzymes, the activities of glutathione S-transferase, DT-diaphorase, epoxide hydrolase, UDP-glucuronyl-transferase, carbonyl reductase, benzaldehyde and propionaldehyde dehydrogenases, were investigated both in the individual and pooled nasal tissues and livers. These activities were similar in nasal and liver tissue, except for UDP-glucuronyltransferase which was not detected in nasal mucosa. The present findings demonstrate that the respiratory section of human nose contains a wide array of oxidative and non-oxidative enzymes, which could play a crucial role in the bioactivation or detoxication in situ of inhaled xenobiotics.

Xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450 in pig, a promising animal model.

The pig has been used as an important animal model for human studies because of its similarity in size, physiology and disease development. However, in contrast to the extensive data available on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system for humans and rodents, the data related to pig are limited because of, among others, the presence of intra-species differences (domestic pigs and minipigs). The knowledge of the CYP superfamily in a given experimental animal is crucial for pharmacological and toxicological tests in developing drugs and for understanding the metabolic pathways of toxicants and carcinogens. In addition, information on the CYP system in pigs is important since it plays a dominant role in the metabolism of veterinary drugs, whose residues remain in the porcine tissues which are food for humans. The aim of the present review is to examine - in the liver and extrahepatic tissues of pig - our current knowledge of the xenobiotic-metabolizing CYPs belonging to families 1-4, in terms of drug metabolism, substrate specificity, inhibition, gene expression and receptor-driven regulation, in comparison with human data. It is hoped, furthermore, that this review may stimulate research on the porcine drug-metabolizing enzymes in order to evaluate the hypothesis whereby pig data may better reflect human drug metabolism and toxicity than those obtained from the traditional non-rodent models.

Biotransformation enzymes and their induction by β-naphtoflavone in adult sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Abstract In the present study we have determined for the first time the hepatic activities of several microsomal P-450 dependent monooxygenases including the testosterone hydroxylase and the Ah-receptor gene battery-related phase II enzymes [UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDP-GT), DT-diaphorase, glutathione S -transferase, aldehyde dehydrogenases] in adult sea bass (300–400 g). We also investigated the effect of β -naphtoflavone ( β -NF) on these enzymes to assess their potential as biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure. β -NF, administered to fish with a single i.p. injection at various doses, resulted in an induction in the liver of the P-450 1A, as immunodetected by anti rat P-450 1A1 antibodies, P-450 1A-linked ethoxyresorufin- O -deethylase (EROD) and methoxyresorufin- O -demethylase (MEROD) activities. Among the phase II enzymes, only the phenol UDP-GT was induced in liver by β -NF. The time course of these inductions exhibited different patterns. EROD and MEROD activities reached a peak value 3 days post-injection and maintained values significantly above the corresponding control activities over the 30 days of the experiment, the phenol UDP-GT activity peaked at day 8 and afterwards declined rapidly achieving the control value 18 days post-injection. A treatment of 80 mg kg −1 β -NF increased the immunodetectable P-450 1A apoprotein and EROD, but not MEROD, activity in extrahepatic tissues such as, gill, kidney and olfactory rosettes. Taken overall, the results indicate that MEROD, EROD and phenol UDP-GT activities may be useful biomarkers for the exposure of adult sea bass to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in pig nasal and hepatic tissues.

1. A study of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme activity of the olfactory and respiratory epithelium in the pig was undertaken. The results indicated that porcine olfactory mucosa contains all the components of the P450 system. 2. Monooxygenase activities were much higher in olfactory than in respiratory microsomes, and the olfactory activities dependent on CYP2A were higher than those in the liver. By contrast, the olfactory monooxygenases associated with CYP2E1 were poorly or not detected, whereas CYP2G1 and a protein immunorelated to CYP1A2 were expressed in the olfactory epithelium. 3. The activities of several non oxidative enzymes (glutathione S-transferase, UDP-glucuronyl transferase, epoxide hydrolase, DT-diaphorase, benzaldehyde and propionaldehyde dehydrogenases, and various esterases) were also determined in porcine tissues and were found to be higher in the olfactory than in the respiratory mucosa, but lower or similar to those in liver. 4. An unexpected finding was a higher activity of olfactory UDP-GT compared with that of liver when 1-naphtol but not p-hydroxybiphenyl (a good substrate for a specific olfactory UDP-GT(olf) in bovine and rat) was used as substrate, suggesting a porcine specific expression of UDP-GT isoforms. 5. The results taken together indicate that the olfactory epithelium of mammals has a similar cytochrome P450 profile with the CYP2A and CYP2G1 as dominant isoforms, whereas the olfactory non-oxidative enzymes appear qualitatively and quantitatively expressed to different extents.

Expression and induction by rifampicin of CAR- and PXR-regulated CYP2B and CYP3A in liver, kidney and airways of pig.

The transcript levels of CYP2B22, 3A22, 3A29, 3A46, CAR, PXR and HNF4alpha were investigated in liver, kidney and airways from control and rifampicin-treated male pigs. The presence and induction of CYP genes transcription were studied by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blotting and enzymatic activity whereas the expression of receptors was studied by RT-PCR or real-time PCR. Pretreatment with rifampicin resulted in a transcriptional activation, although to different extents, of all the CYP3A genes in liver but not in kidney, lung, bronchi or trachea. In the hepatic microsomes, the induction of CYP3A genes was accompanied by an increase of CYP3As marker activities and of two protein bands immunoreactive with anti-human CYP3A4. The CYP2B22 transcript was found to be markedly induced only in liver and kidney. In parallel, a protein band immunoreactive with anti-rat CYP2B1 was elevated while enhanced CYP2B marker activities were observed in hepatic and renal microsomes. As expected, based on human data, the basal expression of CAR, PXR and HNF4alpha was found to be high in liver and low in airways and not susceptible to induction by rifampicin. A significant expression of these transcriptional factors was also demonstrated in kidney. Thus, it is likely that rifampicin induced CYP2B22 both in liver and kidney of pig, not via activation of CAR, but via PXR, through a cross-talk mechanism, as previously observed in human liver. Taken together, our results demonstrated a differential expression and regulation of three individual CYP3As, CYP2B22, CAR, PXR and HNF4alpha genes in liver, kidney and airways of pig.

Glutathione transferases in human nasal mucosa

Glutathione transferase (GST) was investigated with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrate in tissues speciments of human nasal mucosa. The average ±(SD) of GST activity in the cytosol was 76.8 ±21 nmol/min/mg with a range of 47–113. Using affinity chromatography and isoelectric focusing, the isozymes of GST from human nasal mucosa have been purified and characterized. On the criteria of isoelectric point, substrate specificities, apparent subunit molecular weight, sensitivity to characteristic inibitors and immunological properties the major GST purified (about 85% of total activity) can be identified as class pi GST. Although a limited amount of class alpha GST was expressed by human nasal mucosa, no class mu isoenzymes was noted. In addition, we have also identified a GST subunit that cannot be related to any of three major classes of human GST.

Effect of β-naphthoflavone on AhR-regulated genes (CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2S1, Nrf2, and GST) and antioxidant enzymes in various brain regions of pig

The constitutive and inducible expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and of the AhR-regulated genes coding for CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2S1, and Nrf2 was investigated by real-time or traditional PCR in cerebral areas (cortex, cerebellum, midbrain, and hippocampus), blood-brain interfaces (meninges and brain microvessels) and liver obtained from control pigs and from pigs treated with beta-naphthoflavone (betaNF), a potent AhR agonist. The enzymatic activities of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), and methoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (MEROD), marker for CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, the GST and various antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, GSSG-reductase, and GSH-peroxidase) were also determined in the same CNS regions. The AhR, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, Nrf2 mRNAs were detected, although at different extent, in all the CNS regions, while CYP2S1 mRNA was detected only in midbrain. In the blood-brain interfaces, the constitutive basal expression of AhR and CYP1A1 was comparable to the hepatic one and even higher for CYP1B1 and Nrf2. The treatment with betaNF determined the induction of CYP1A1 and 1B1 (but not of AhR, CYP1A2, and Nrf2) mRNA levels in various CNS areas; notably, CYP1A1 mRNA was increased to about 300-fold in the microvessels. The analysis of enzymatic activities revealed that EROD, but not MEROD, was induced in microsomes but not in mitochondria of all the CNS areas. However, the mitochondrial EROD activities were comparable (in midbrain, meninges) or higher (in cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus) than the microsomal ones, suggesting an important metabolic function of CYP1A1 in this subcellular localization. The activities of GST and antioxidant enzymes were detected in all CNS tissues, with levels lower than the hepatic ones, but found quite evenly distributed and marginally affected by betaNF treatment. The high expression of metabolic enzymes found in blood-brain interfaces could represent a very important defence toward toxins of CNS.

Cisplatin induced toxicity in rat tissues: the protective effect of Lisosan G.

The protective effect of a powder of grain (Lisosan G) against cisplatin-induced toxicity in rats was studied. Male rats were fed with Lisosan G before injection of cisplatin and four days later they were killed and blood was collected along with hepatic, renal and testicular tissues. The results showed that cisplatin treatment increased plasma blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and hydrogen peroxide and decreased cytochrome P450 content in renal and hepatic tissues. It also reduced the plasmatic testosterone level and caused a depletion of testicular 17α-progesterone hydroxylase activity. In the group fed with Lisosan G and treated with cisplatin blood urea nitrogen and creatinine returned to the control level indicating a protective effect of Lisosan G. It was also observed that the ones fed with Lisosan G were able to attenuate the decrease in the P450-dependent activities and the activities of antioxidant enzymes as well. Lisosan G protected the testicular 17α-progesterone hydroxylase activity and increased the plasma testosterone level compared to animals treated only with cisplatin. Our results showed a protective effect of Lisosan G against the cisplatin induced toxicity. The protective effect of Lisosan G could be associated mainly with the attenuation of the oxidative stress and the preservation in antioxidant enzymes.

Effect of starvation and chlormethiazole on cytochrome P450s of rat nasal mucosa

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes of nasal tissue are relatively resistant to induction by classical inducers. In the present study, the effects of starvation on the expression of CYP1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2G, and 3A subfamilies in the nasal mucosa of rat were studied. Fasting for 72 hr caused an increase in 2E1-dependent p-nitrophenol hydroxylase and 1A-dependent ethoxy- (or methoxy) resorufin dealkylase activities, but did not affect either 2A-linked coumarin hydroxylase or the testosterone hydroxylase activity, the latter reaction being a marker of several CYPs including 2G1. Whereas increases in 2E1- and 1A- associated catalytic activities were accompanied by a concomitant increase in the corresponding apoproteins as determined by immunoblotting, immunoactive protein bands reactive with antibodies raised against rat 1A1, 2B1, 2C11, 3A1 or rabbit nasal 2A10/11 and 2G1 were not altered. Fasting also increased CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 on the mRNA level, but did not alter CYP1A1 mRNA as determined by hybridization with cDNA probes selective for these cytochromes. A reiterative administration of chlormethiazole, a specific inhibitor of 2E1 in liver, strongly inhibited many CYPs, including 2E1, 1A2, 2G1, and 2A in the nasal mucosa, but did not influence expression of 2B or 3A as determined by immunoblotting or catalytic activities. The chlormethiazole-mediated inhibition of 1A1 and 2E1 was demonstrated to be at the mRNA level. These results suggest that fasting induces the gene expression of 2E1 and 1A2 and that the mechanisms involved in the regulation of CYPs in the nasal mucosa are tissue-specific. The inducibility of the above-mentioned isoforms may have a significant role in the clearance of drugs and bioactivation of inhaled compounds.