Regional distribution of ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450 IIE1 in the rat central nervous system

Ebselen prevents chronic alcohol-induced rat hippocampal stress and functional impairment

BACKGROUND

Most of the previously published data suggest a role for oxidative or nitrosative stress in ethanol-induced nervous system damage. Moreover, ethanol is able to impair learning abilities in adult mammalian brain, a process suggested to be directly related to hippocampal neurogenesis. Ebselen, a synthetic compound with antioxidant properties, is able to prevent ethanol-induced impairment of neurogenesis in adult rats. The aim of the present work was to further demonstrate the ability of ebselen to prevent biochemical alterations, and preserve long-term potentiation (LTP) and learning abilities, in the hippocampus of chronic alcoholic adult rats.

METHODS

Biochemical markers of oxidative stress (glutathione and malondialdehyde) were assayed in hippocampi of control rats and animals fed a liquid alcoholic diet (Lieber-De Carli) supplemented or not with ebselen. Long-term potentiation and hippocampal-dependent tests were studied in all animal groups.

RESULTS

The hippocampal concentrations of glutathione and malondialdehyde were decreased and increased, respectively, in alcohol-treated animals, and did not differ from those of the control and the alcohol+ebselen groups. Long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices from ethanol-treated animals was prevented, when compared with controls, and occurred with a similar profile in control animals and in the alcohol+ebselen groups. Learning ability was tested with the Morris water maze test. Escape latencies were higher in ethanol-treated rats than in control animals or the ones treated with ethanol+ebselen.

CONCLUSIONS

The results herein strongly suggest that oxidative mechanisms may underlie the hippocampal effects of ethanol in adult rats, in view of the protective effect of ebselen.

Enzymatic mechanisms of ethanol oxidation in the brain

BACKGROUND

The exact enzymatic mechanisms of ethanol oxidation in the brain are still unclear. The catalase-mediated oxidation of ethanol was demonstrated in rat brain using incubation of brain homogenates with catalase inhibitors. The role of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) or cytochrome P450-dependent system in this process is possible, but has not been confirmed. The objective of the study was to determine the contribution of the different enzymatic pathways to ethanol oxidation in brain homogenates from mice and rats.

METHODS

Three approaches were used to investigate the enzymatic mechanisms of ethanol oxidation in the brain of rats and mice: (1) preincubation of brain homogenates with inhibitors of the ethanol-metabolizing enzymes (catalase, CYP2E1, ADH, and ALDH); (2) utilization of mice with genetic deficiency in ethanol-metabolizing enzymes (catalase, CYP2E1, or both enzymes); and (3) determination of ethanol oxidation in brain subcellular fractions known to have differential activity of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes. The ethanol-derived acetaldehyde (AC) and acetate were determined in brain samples by gas chromatography.

RESULTS

The catalase inhibitors sodium azide (5 mM) and aminotriazole (5 mM) as well as CYP2E1 inhibitors diallyl sulfide (2 mM) and beta-phenethyl isothiocyanate (0.1 mM) lowered significantly the accumulation of the ethanol-derived AC and acetate in brain homogenates. The ADH inhibitor 4-methyl pyrazole (5 mM) significantly decreased the acetate but not the AC accumulation. Ethanol-derived AC accumulation in brain homogenates of acatalasemic mice was 47% of the control value, 91% in CYP2E1-null mice, and 24% in double mutants (with deficiency of both catalase and CYP2E1). The highest levels of ethanol oxidation were found in microsomal and peroxisomal subcellular brain fractions, where CYP2E1 and catalase are located, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Catalase is the key enzyme of ethanol oxidation in the brain of rodents: it may be responsible for about 60% of the process. CYP2E1 plays an important role in ethanol oxidation in the rodent brains. Alcohol dehydrogenase plays a minor role, if any, in this process. Aldehyde dehydrogenase plays the crucial role in the further oxidation of ethanol-derived AC in the brain homogenates.

Differences in sensitivity of cultured rat brain neuronal and glial cytochrome P450 2E1 to ethanol

The expression of the cytochrome P450s (CYPs) may vary in the different brain cells depending on their specialization and the presence of different endogenous factors. The present study was initiated to investigate the expression and catalytic activity of the constitutive and inducible forms of CYP2E1, the major ethanol inducible CYP, in cultured rat brain neuronal and glial cells. These cells exhibited relatively two-fold higher activity of N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMA-d) when compared with the liver enzyme. Pretreatment with ethanol revealed a significant time and concentration dependent induction in NDMA-d activity in both cell types. Western blot, immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR also indicated significant induction of CYP2E1 in the cultured brain cells. Interestingly, the neuronal cells exhibited greater magnitude of induction than the glial cells. The relatively higher degree of induction in cultures of neurons has indicated enhanced sensitivity of neurons to the inductive effects of ethanol. This enhanced induction of CYP2E1 in neuronal cells has indicated that like regional specificity, cell specificity also exists in the induction of CYP2E1 and other CYPs.

Alcohol abuse enhances neuroinflammation and impairs immune responses in an animal model of human immunodeficiency virus-1 encephalitis

Neuroinflammatory disorders (including human immunodeficiency virus-1 encephalitis, HIVE) are associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory brain injury, and excessive alcohol use can exacerbate tissue damage. Using a murine model of HIVE, we investigated the effects of alcohol abuse on the clearance of virus-infected macrophages and neuroinflammation. Severe combined immunodeficient mice were reconstituted with human lymphocytes, and encephalitis was induced by intracranial injection of HIV-1-infected monocyte-derived macrophages (HIV-1(+) MDM). Animals were fed an ethanol-containing diet beginning 2 weeks before lymphocyte engraftment and for the entire duration of the experiment. Lymphocyte engraftment was not altered by ethanol exposure. Alcohol-mediated immunosuppression in ethanol-fed mice was manifested by a significant decrease in CD8(+)/interferon-gamma(+) T lymphocytes, a fivefold increase in viremia, and diminished expression of immunoproteasomes in the spleen. Although both groups showed similar amounts of CD8(+) T-lymphocyte infiltration in brain areas containing HIV-1(+) MDMs, ethanol-fed mice featured double the amounts of HIV-1(+) MDMs in the brain compared to controls. Ethanol-exposed mice demonstrated higher microglial reaction and enhanced oxidative stress. Alcohol exposure impaired immune responses (increased viremia, decreased immunoproteasome levels, and prevented efficient elimination of HIV-1(+) MDMs) and enhanced neuroinflammation in HIVE mice. Thus, alcohol abuse could be a co-factor in progression of HIV-1 infection of the brain.

Regional and cellular distribution of CYP2E1 in monkey brain and its induction by chronic nicotine

CYP2E1 is expressed in liver and extrahepatic tissues, including brain. It metabolizes ethanol and other drugs and toxins, such as acetaminophen, chlorzoxazone and tobacco-derived nitrosamines. Hepatic CYP2E1 is inducible by nicotine, and cigarette smoke accelerates chlorzoxazone metabolism. Smokers have higher levels of brain CYP2E1 expression than non-smokers, but the specific regions and cell types which have the higher expression differ from nicotine-induced rat brain. We therefore investigated the expression and distribution of brain CYP2E1 in a non-human primate, the African green monkey, and determined the effect of nicotine treatment. CYP2E1 levels varied among saline-treated monkey brain regions (P < 0.01) and expression was cell-type specific. Chronic nicotine treatment induced CYP2E1 expression in the frontal cortex (1.5-fold, P < 0.05) and cerebellum (1.5-fold, P < 0.01), specifically in cortical pyramidal neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells but no change was seen in temporal cortex (P = 0.20), hippocampus (P = 0.29), putamen (P = 0.26) and thalamus (P = 0.08). CYP2E1 expression pattern in monkey brain following chronic nicotine treatment is similar to that in smokers, suggesting that nicotine may be the primary component in cigarette smoke that induces CYP2E1. Increased CYP2E1 in brain may contribute to oxidative stress and alter localized metabolism, and resulting pharmacology, of centrally acting drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.

Is ethanol a pro-drug? Acetaldehyde contribution to brain ethanol effects

This article presents the proceedings of a symposium at the 2004 meeting of the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism, held in Mannheim, Germany. The symposium was organized by Etienne Quertemont and chaired by C. J. Peter Eriksson. The presentations were (1) Brain ethanol metabolism and its behavior consequences, by Sergey M. Zimatkin and P. S. Pronko; (2) Acetaldehyde increases dopaminergic neuronal activity: a possible mechanism for acetaldehyde reinforcing effects, by Marco Diana and Milena Pisano; (3) Contrasting the reinforcing actions of acetaldehyde and ethanol within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of alcohol-preferring (P) rats, by Zachary A. Rodd and Richard R. Bell; (4) Molecular and biochemical changes associated with acetaldehyde in human alcoholism and alcohol abuse, by C. J. Peter Eriksson.

The role of acetaldehyde in the neurobehavioral effects of ethanol: A comprehensive review of animal studies

Acetaldehyde has long been suggested to be involved in a number of ethanol's pharmacological and behavioral effects, such as its reinforcing, aversive, sedative, amnesic and stimulant properties. However, the role of acetaldehyde in ethanol's effects has been an extremely controversial topic during the past two decades. Opinions ranged from those virtually denying any role for acetaldehyde in ethanol's effects to those who claimed that alcoholism is in fact "acetaldehydism". Considering the possible key role of acetaldehyde in alcohol addiction, it is critical to clarify the respective functions of acetaldehyde and ethanol molecules in the pharmacological and behavioral effects of alcohol consumption. In the present paper, we review the animal studies reporting evidence that acetaldehyde is involved in the pharmacological and behavioral effects of ethanol. A number of studies demonstrated that acetaldehyde administration induces a range of behavioral effects. Other pharmacological studies indicated that acetaldehyde might be critically involved in several effects of ethanol consumption, including its reinforcing consequences. However, conflicting evidence has also been published. Furthermore, it remains to be shown whether pharmacologically relevant concentrations of acetaldehyde are achieved in the brain after alcohol consumption in order to induce significant effects. Finally, we review current evidence about the central mechanisms of action of acetaldehyde.

The Search for Genes Contributing to the Low Level of Response to Alcohol: Patterns of Findings Across Studies

BACKGROUND

Alcoholism is a complex genetically influenced disorder in which multiple phenotypes [e.g., disinhibition, alcohol-metabolizing patterns, and the low level of response (LR) to alcohol] contribute to the risk. A low LR to alcohol is one of the more thoroughly studied risk phenotypes; data indicate that LR relates to the risk status, predicts future alcoholism, and has a heritability as high as 60%. This article reviews data from animal and human studies regarding the LR to alcohol, searching for a convergence of results that might lead to the identification of relevant genes.

METHODS

A literature search was performed regarding animal and human genetic studies focusing on genes that might affect the LR to alcohol as a risk factor for alcoholism. The goal was to synthesize these results and highlight potential patterns.

RESULTS

Focusing on both genetic linkage and association studies, a number of chromosomal regions and genes potentially relevant to findings across two or more sources were identified. The genes of potential interest fell into several categories, including second-messenger systems (e.g., G proteins, adenylyl cyclase, and protein kinases); neurotransmitters or drug-related receptors (e.g., gamma-aminobutyric acid-A, glutamate, serotonin, and cannabinoid and opioid receptors); genes that affect alcohol metabolism; and genes that might relate to an overlap in the risk for alcoholism and some psychiatric conditions (e.g., catechol-O-methyltransferase regarding schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).

CONCLUSIONS

The review identifies several genes that may contribute to a low LR to alcohol and, thus, to an increased risk for alcohol use disorders. The chromosomal regions and genes highlighted here may form the basis for more focused genetic studies of alcohol use disorders, with the goals of developing more specific and effective prevention and treatment approaches.

Potential role of cerebral cytochrome P450 in clinical pharmacokinetics: modulation by endogenous compounds

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes catalyse phase I metabolic reactions of psychotropic drugs. The main isoenzymes responsible for this biotransformation are CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP3A and those of the subfamily CYP2C. Although these enzymes are present in the human brain, their specific role in this tissue remains unclear. However, because CYP enzymatic activities have been reported in the human brain and because brain microsomes have been shown to metabolise the same probe substrates used to assess specific hepatic CYP activities and substrates of known hepatic CYPs, local drug metabolism is believed to be likely. There are also indications that CYP2D6 is involved in the metabolism of endogenous substrates in the brain. This, along with the fact that several neurotransmitters modulate CYP enzyme activities in human liver microsomes, indicates that CYP enzymes present in brain could be under various regulatory mechanisms and that those mechanisms could influence drug pharmacokinetics and, hence, drug response. In this paper we review the presence of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A in brain, as well as the possible existence of local brain metabolism, and discuss the putative implications of endogenous modulation of these isoenzymes by neurotransmitters.

A novel lipopolysaccharide-modulated Jun binding repressor in intron 2 of CYP2E1

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) exhibits a pronounced oxidase activity that may mediate apoptotic injury in glial cells as well as hepatocytes. Strict regulation of CYP2E1 and it's activity is therefore thought to be crucial. We have studied CYP2E1 transcriptional regulation in primary cortical glial cells and have identified a novel repressor element at +1452/+1460 in intron 2 of the rat CYP2E1 gene. The element very potently repressed CYP2E1 and SV40 promoters and consisted of the non-palindromic core sequence 5'-TTCCACTCA-3'. Jun proteins were found to interact with the site. The protein complexes were also found to contain an as yet unidentified protein of approximately 60 kDa, probably with DNA binding properties similar to G-box binding factors found in, e.g. Arabidopsis thaliana. Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, or overexpression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, MEKK-1, further deepened the repression in primary cortical glial cells. It is suggested that this novel Jun binding repressor helps to control basal expression levels of CYP2E1, and modulates the response to inflammatory factors. Future in vivo experiments will, however, be required for a full appreciation of the role of this repressor in the complex regulation of CYP2E1 during inflammatory conditions.

Genetic polymorphism in ethanol metabolism: acetaldehyde contribution to alcohol abuse and alcoholism

Acetaldehyde, the first product of ethanol metabolism, has been speculated to be involved in many pharmacological and behavioral effects of ethanol. In particular, acetaldehyde has been suggested to contribute to alcohol abuse and alcoholism. In the present paper, we review current data on the role of acetaldehyde and ethanol metabolism in alcohol consumption and abuse. Ethanol metabolism involves several enzymes. Whereas alcohol dehydrogenase metabolizes the bulk of ethanol within the liver, other enzymes, such as cytochrome P4502E1 and catalase, also contributes to the production of acetaldehyde from ethanol oxidation. In turn, acetaldehyde is metabolized by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. In animal studies, acetaldehyde is mainly reinforcing particularly when injected directly into the brain. In humans, genetic polymorphisms of the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase are also associated with alcohol drinking habits and the incidence of alcohol abuse. From these human genetic studies, it has been concluded that blood acetaldehyde accumulation induces unpleasant effects that prevent further alcohol drinking. It is therefore speculated that acetaldehyde exerts opposite hedonic effects depending on the localization of its accumulation. In the periphery, acetaldehyde is primarily aversive, whereas brain acetaldehyde is mainly reinforcing. However, the peripheral effects of acetaldehyde might also be dependent upon its peak blood concentrations and its rate of accumulation, with a narrow range of blood acetaldehyde concentrations being reinforcing.

Lipopolysaccharide induces CYP2E1 in astrocytes through MAP kinase kinase-3 and C/EBPbeta and -delta

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is highly inducible in a subset of astrocytes in vivo following ischemic or mechanical injury and in vitro by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin-1beta. We have studied the mechanism of induction, and found that transcriptional activation of CYP2E1 occurred within 3 h, and CYP2E1 dependent catalytic activity was induced more than 4-fold within 5 h. The induction was sensitive to several tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and was further modulated by inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase. MAP kinase kinase-3 (MKK3) was phosphorylated in response to LPS, and expression of constitutively active MKK3, but not the MAP kinase kinases MEKK1 or MKK1, activated CYP2E1. Transcriptional activation was mediated through a C/EBPbeta and -delta binding element situated at -486/-474, and appeared to involve activation of prebound factors as well as recruitment of newly synthesized C/EBPbeta and -delta. It is thus suggested that LPS induces MKK3 activation in astrocytes, which in turn stimulates a C/EBPbeta and -delta binding element to mediate transcriptional activation of CYP2E1.

An investigation of dopaminergic metabolites in the striatum and in the substantia nigra in vivo utilising radiolabelled L-DOPA and high performance liquid chromatography: a new approach in the search for transmitter metabolites

Although the major routes of dopamine metabolism seem to be established, at least in terminal regions such as the striatum, it is important to search for previously unknown metabolites and to investigate the relevance of previously suggested minor alternative pathways. An urgent issue is to verify and quantify the transformation of dopamine to putative toxic species, another is to further explore metabolism of dopamine located in cell bodies/dendrites, e.g. in the substantia nigra. We have developed a new method in order to widen the search for alternative metabolites of dopamine. The method is based on systemic injection of tritiated L-DOPA to rats in vivo. Brain tissue was homogenised and centrifuged and the resulting supernatant fractioned following passage through a liquid chromatography system. The radioactivity of each fraction was measured using a scintillation system. By identifying fractions containing major catecholamines and metabolites, according to a standard solution, novel metabolites can be searched for in the remaining fractions. It was possible to obtain sufficient radioactivity in separate fractions of supernatant of homogenised tissue, even from such a small brain nucleus as substantia nigra. Radioactivity was obtained in those fractions that contained the major catecholamines and their metabolites, as well as in other fractions where it may represent previously unknown metabolites of L-DOPA/dopamine. The method was used to evaluate the possibility that cytochrome P450 2E1 is involved in the metabolism of dopamine in the substantia nigra. Significant changes in the radioactivity pattern were induced by inhibition of the enzyme but conclusions about whether cytochrome P450 2E1 is involved in the metabolism of dopamine or not requires further studies. The method can be used to study the metabolism of dopamine and can be extended, by using other radiolabelled precursors, also to evaluate metabolism of other transmitters, e.g. serotonin.

Rat hepatic CYP2E1 is induced by very low nicotine doses: an investigation of induction, time course, dose response, and mechanism

CYP2E1 is an ethanol- and drug-metabolizing enzyme that can also activate procarcinogens and hepatotoxicants and generate reactive oxygen species; it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver diseases and cancer. Cigarette smoke increases CYP2E1 activity in rodents and in humans and we have shown that nicotine (0.1-1.0 mg/kg s.c. x 7 days) increases CYP2E1 protein and activity in the rat liver. In the current study, we have shown that the induction peaks at 4 h postnicotine (1 mg/kg s.c. x 7 days) treatment and recovers within 24 h. No induction was observed after a single injection, and 18 days of treatment did not increase the levels beyond that found at 7 days. We found that CYP2E1 is induced by very low doses of chronic (x 7 days) nicotine with an ED50 value of 0.01 mg/kg s.c.; 0.01 mg/kg in a rat model results in peak cotinine levels (nicotine metabolite) similar to those found in people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (passive smokers; 2-7 ng/ml). Previously, we have shown no change in CYP2E1 mRNA, and our current mechanistic study indicates that nicotine does not regulate CYP2E1 expression by protein stabilization. We postulated that a nicotine metabolite could be causing the induction but found that cotinine (1 mg/kg x 7 days) did not increase CYP2E1. Our findings indicate that nicotine increases CYP2E1 at very low doses and may enhance CYP2E1-related toxicity in smokers, passive smokers, and people treated with nicotine (e.g., smokers, patients with Alzheimer's disease, ulcerative colitis or Parkinson's disease).

Phorbol ester induces CYP2E1 in astrocytes, through a protein kinase C- and tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is highly inducible in a subset of astrocytes in vivo following ischemic or mechanical injury and in vitro by lipopolysaccharide or interleukin-1beta. In the present study, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) was found to induce catalytically active CYP2E1 more than fourfold in cortical glial cultures. Little induction was seen up to 12 h, and full effects only at 21-24 h of PDBu treatment. CYP2E1 expression in PDBu-treated cells was enriched in a subset of astrocytes. The protein kinase C inhibitors, staurosporine and calphostin C, and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, but not its inactive analogue daidzein, prevented the induction of CYP2E1 by PDBu. It is suggested that CYP2E1, together with interleukin-6 and ciliary neurotrophic factor, is part of a response of astrocytes to cellular stress elicited by, e.g. cerebral injury, cytokines or phorbol ester, and mediated in part through protein kinase C.

Brain CYP2E1 is induced by nicotine and ethanol in rat and is higher in smokers and alcoholics

1. Ethanol and nicotine are commonly coabused drugs. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) metabolizes ethanol and bioactivates tobacco-derived procarcinogens. Ethanol and nicotine can induce hepatic CYP2E1 and we hypothesized that both centrally active drugs could also induce CYP2E1 within the brain. 2. Male rats were treated with saline, ethanol (3.0 g kg(-1) by gavage) or nicotine (1.0 mg kg(-1) s.c.) for 7 days. Ethanol treatment significantly increased CYP2E1 in olfactory bulbs (1.7-fold), frontal cortex (2.0-fold), hippocampus (1.9-fold) and cerebellum (1.8-fold), while nicotine induced CYP2E1 in olfactory bulbs (2.3-fold), frontal cortex (3.0-fold), olfactory tubercle (3.1-fold), cerebellum (2.5-fold) and brainstem (2.0-fold). Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that the induction was cell-type specific. 3. Consistent with the increased CYP2E1 found in rat brain following drug treatments, brains from alcoholics and alcoholic smokers showed greater staining of granular cells of the dentate gyrus and the pyramidal cells of CA2 and CA3 hippocampal regions as well as of cerebellar Purkinje cells compared to nonalcoholic nonsmokers. Moreover, greater CYP2E1 immunoreactivity was observed in the frontal cortices in the alcoholic smokers in comparison to nonalcoholic nonsmokers and alcoholic nonsmokers. 4 To investigate if nicotine could contribute to the increased CYP2E1 observed in alcoholic smokers, we treated human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells in culture and found significantly higher CYP2E1 immunostaining in nicotine-treated cells (0.1-10 nM). 5. CYP2E1 induction in the brain, by ethanol or nicotine, may influence the central effects of ethanol and the development of nervous tissue pathologies observed in alcoholics and smokers.

Role of free radicals in the neurodegenerative diseases: therapeutic implications for antioxidant treatment

Free radicals and other so-called 'reactive species' are constantly produced in the brain in vivo. Some arise by 'accidents of chemistry', an example of which may be the leakage of electrons from the mitochondrial electron transport chain to generate superoxide radical (O2*-). Others are generated for useful purposes, such as the role of nitric oxide in neurotransmission and the production of O2*- by activated microglia. Because of its high ATP demand, the brain consumes O2 rapidly, and is thus susceptible to interference with mitochondrial function, which can in turn lead to increased O2*- formation. The brain contains multiple antioxidant defences, of which the mitochondrial manganese-containing superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione seem especially important. Iron is a powerful promoter of free radical damage, able to catalyse generation of highly reactive hydroxyl, alkoxyl and peroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides, respectively. Although most iron in the brain is stored in ferritin, 'catalytic' iron is readily mobilised from injured brain tissue. Increased levels of oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins have been detected by a range of assays in post-mortem tissues from patients with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and at least some of these changes may occur early in disease progression. The accumulation and precipitation of proteins that occur in these diseases may be aggravated by oxidative damage, and may in turn cause more oxidative damage by interfering with the function of the proteasome. Indeed, it has been shown that proteasomal inhibition increases levels of oxidative damage not only to proteins but also to other biomolecules. Hence, there are many attempts to develop antioxidants that can cross the blood-brain barrier and decrease oxidative damage. Natural antioxidants such as vitamin E (tocopherol), carotenoids and flavonoids do not readily enter the brain in the adult, and the lazaroid antioxidant tirilazad (U-74006F) appears to localise in the blood-brain barrier. Other antioxidants under development include modified spin traps and low molecular mass scavengers of O2*-. One possible source of lead compounds is the use of traditional remedies claimed to improve brain function. Little is known about the impact of dietary antioxidants upon the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. Several agents already in therapeutic use might exert some of their effects by antioxidant action, including selegiline (deprenyl), apomorphine and nitecapone.

In utero ethanol suppresses cerebellar activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappa B transcriptional activation in a rat fetal alcohol syndrome model

A model of fetal alcohol syndrome was used to investigate prenatal ethanol effects on cerebellar transcription factors. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three treatment groups: ethanol-exposed (E), calorically matched pair-fed (PF), and freely fed ad libitum (AL) groups. Ethanol exposure was stopped 2 days before parturition. The DNA binding in neonatal cerebella of the redox-sensitive transcription factors nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. On the first postnatal day (PD1), there was decreased activation of these transcription factors in the E group relative to the control groups. The PD1 transcriptional effects were reversed as the neonate underwent development without further ethanol exposure. Western blot studies showed no corresponding decreases in protein amounts of both AP-1 and NF-kappa B components on PD1. Postnatal glutathione levels and catalase activity, as measures of oxidative stress hypothesized to be a probable cause of the transcriptional effects, showed no statistically significant effects attributable to ethanol. Examination of prenatal cerebella on embryonic day 20 (EM20), a time during ethanol exposure, showed DNA-binding trends similar to those of PD1. EM20 Western blot studies showed decreases in the levels of the active form of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). GSK-3 inhibition was reversed by PD1. Blocking of GSK-3 activity with gestational dietary lithium diminished both AP-1 and NF-kappa B DNA binding. Thus, prenatal ethanol exposure has the effect of diminishing pro-survival transcriptional activation, an effect possibly mediated by changes in GSK-3 activity.

Rat olfactory bulb and epithelium UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2A1 (UGT2A1) expression: in situ mRNA localization and quantitative analysis

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) form a multigenic family of enzymes involved in the biotransformation and elimination of numerous endo- and xenobiotic compounds. Beside the diverse UGT isoforms present in the liver as well as in other tissues, the UGT2A1 isoform, also called olfactory UGT, was initially thought to be expressed in the nasal epithelium only. In this work, we demonstrate the UGT2A1 mRNA expression in the olfactory bulb, using in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques. Within the epithelium, UGT2A1 mRNA is mainly found in the sustentacular cells and to a lesser extent in Bowman's gland cells. Moreover, in situ hybrization staining reveals UGT2A1 mRNA expression in the olfactory sensory neuron nuclei. Neuronal localization of UGT2A1 mRNA within the olfactory bulb is mainly found in the deeper granular cells. The development of the quantitative multistandard RT-PCR method firstly required characterization of the mouse Ugt2A1 cDNA by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-PCR. UGT2A1 mRNA levels appear quantitatively six-fold lower in the olfactory bulb than in the epithelium, in both the rat and mouse. The expression of UGT2A1 in the olfactory bulb, which directly connects the nasal epithelium to the brain, emphasizes the potential role of this enzyme in the protection of the brain against airborne hazardous chemicals.

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 2E1 induces an increase in extracellular dopamine in rat substantia nigra: a new metabolic pathway?

We presented data previously on dopamine (DA) synthesis and catabolism in the rat substantia nigra (SN) suggesting that a substantial part of the synthesized DA in this brain part is metabolized by unknown nonclassical metabolic pathways. On the basis of that a relatively high density of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) has been detected in rat SN the aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility that this enzyme is involved in the metabolism of DA. Systemic administration of either phenylethyl isothiocyanate (100 mg/kg ip), diethyldithiocarbamate (500 mg/kg, ip) or diallyl sulfide (200 mg/kg, sc or ip), three different inhibitors of cytochrome P450 2E1, induced an increase of the extracellular DA concentration in the SN, measured with microdialysis in awake rats, by 130%, 90%, and 35%, respectively. A tendency to increased concentrations of the classical DA metabolites in the dialysate from the SN was also observed in some experiments. In the striatum, no profound effects were induced by the drugs on the concentrations of DA or its metabolites. The results show that CYP 2E1 activity affects dopaminergic neurotransmission in the SN, possibly by participating in DA metabolism. Other mechanisms, such as the influence on the DA transporter or the release process cannot, however, be ruled out.

Ethanol and oxidative mechanisms in the brain

There is strong evidence showing that chronic and excessive ethanol consumption may enhance oxidative damage to neurons and result in cell death. Although not yet well understood, ethanol may enhance ROS production in brain through a number of pathways including increased generation of hydroxyethyl radicals, induction of CYP2E1, alteration of the cytokine signaling pathways for induction of iNOS and sPLA(2), and production of prostanoids through the PLA(2)/COX pathways. Since many neurodegenerative diseases are also associated with oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms in the brain, it would be important to find out whether chronic and excessive ethanol consumption may exacerbate the progression of these diseases. There is evidence that the polyphenolic antioxidants, especially those extracted from grape skin and seed, may protect the brain from neuronal damage due to chronic ethanol administration. Among the polyphenols from grapes, resveratrol seems to have unique antioxidant properties. The possible use of this compound as a therapeutic agent to ameliorate neurodegenerative processes should be further explored.

Dose-dependent decrease in glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactivity in rat cerebellum after lifelong ethanol consumption

The effects of aging and lifelong ethanol consumption on astrocytic morphology and glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactivity (GFAP-IR) in the cerebellar vermis obtained from ethanol-preferring Alko, Alcohol (AA) rats were analyzed by using computer-assisted image analysis. The ethanol-consuming animals (both male and female) were given ethanol (10%-12%, vol./vol.) as the only available fluid for 21 months (3-24 months), whereas the young (3 months) and the old (24 months) controls received water. In the male rats, but not in the female rats, an age-related decrease in GFAP-IR was found in folia II, VII, and X of the molecular layer, and in turn, an age-related increase was found in folium X of the granular layer, indicating opposite changes in GFAP-IR for male rats due to aging in adjacent brain regions. In the female rats, 21 months of daily average ethanol consumption of 6.6 g/kg resulted in decreased GFAP-IR in folium VII of the molecular layer, and the decrease in cerebellar GFAP-IR correlated with the average daily ethanol intake (r=-.886, P=.019) when folia II, IV, VII, and X were analyzed together. No effect of ethanol on GFAP-IR was detected in the granular layer or in the central white matter of the female rats. There was no change in GFAP-IR in any of the three cerebellar layers of the male rats with average daily ethanol consumption of 3.2 g/kg. These results indicate that the Bergmann glial fibers are the GFAP-expressing structures of the cerebellum most sensitive to moderate-to-heavy chronic ethanol exposure and that this effect is dose dependent.

Ethanol inhibits cytokine-induced iNOS and sPLA2 in immortalized astrocytes: evidence for posttranscriptional site of ethanol action

Chronic and excessive ethanol consumption is known to alter neuron and glial cell functions in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes comprise the major cell type in the brain. These immune active cells are capable of responding to proinflammatory cytokines and endotoxins, which stimulate transcriptional pathways leading to induction of genes, including the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2). In this study, we investigate the effects of ethanol on cytokine-induced iNOS and sPLA2 in immortalized astrocytes (DITNC). When DITNC cells were exposed to ethanol (0-200 mM) for 4 h prior to subsequent stimulation with cytokines for 16 h, NO production decreased with increasing ethanol concentrations starting from 50 mM. At ethanol concentrations higher than 100 mM, ethanol also inhibited cytokine-induced sPLA2 release into the culture medium. The inhibitory effect of ethanol on NO production corresponds well with the decrease in iNOS protein and NOS enzyme activity, but not with iNOS and sPLA2 mRNA nor binding of NF-kappaB to DNA. The inhibition of cytokine-induced NO production by ethanol was also dependent on the time of ethanol exposure to the cells, but addition of acetaldehyde up to 200 microM did not elicit any changes. Taken together, these results provide evidence for a posttranscriptional mode of ethanol action on the cytokine induction pathway for NO production in astrocytes.

Brain atrophy and neuronal loss in alcoholism: a role for DNA damage?

Chronic alcohol abuse has deleterious effects on several organs in the body including the brain. Neuroradiological studies have demonstrated that the brains of chronic alcoholics undergo loss of both gray and white matter volumes. Neuropathological studies using unbiased stereological methods have provided evidence for loss of neurons in specific parts of the brain in chronic alcoholics. The purpose of this paper is to propose a mechanism for this alcohol related neuronal loss. The hypothesis is based on the neurodegeneration observed in patients with the genetic disorder xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), who lack the capacity to carry out a specific type of DNA repair called nucleotide excision repair (NER). Some XP patients develop a progressive atrophic neurodegeneration, termed XP neurological disease, indicating that endogenous DNA damage that is normally repaired by NER has the capacity to cause neuronal death. Accumulating evidence indicates that the neurodegenerative DNA damage that is responsible for neuronal loss in XP patients results from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products, and has the capacity to inhibit gene expression by RNA polymerase II. Therefore, the following model is proposed: chronic alcohol abuse results in increased levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation products in neurons, which results in an overwhelming burden on the NER pathway, and increased steady state levels of DNA lesions that inhibit gene expression. This results in neuronal death either by reduction in the levels of essential gene products or by apoptosis. The implications of this model for future studies are discussed.

Regional and cellular induction of nicotine-metabolizing CYP2B1 in rat brain by chronic nicotine treatment

In the rat, nicotine is metabolized to cotinine primarily by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B1. This enzyme is also found in other organs such as the lung and the brain. Hepatic nicotine metabolism is unaltered after nicotine exposure; however, nicotine may regulate CYP2B1 in other tissues. We hypothesized that nicotine induces its own metabolism in brain by increasing CYP2B1. Male rats were treated with nicotine (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg base/kg in saline) s.c. daily for 7 days. CYP2B1 mRNA and protein were assayed in the brain and liver by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. In control rats, CYP2B1 mRNA and protein expression were brain region- and cell-specific. CYP2B1 was not induced in the liver, but CYP2B1 mRNA and protein showed dose-dependent, region- and cell-specific patterns of induction across brain regions. At 1.0 mg nicotine/kg, the largest increase in protein was in the brain stem (5.8-fold, P < 0.05) with a corresponding increase in CYP2B1 mRNA (7.6-fold, P < 0.05). Induction of CYP2B1 was also observed in the frontal cortex, striatum, and olfactory tubercle. Immunocytochemistry showed that induction was restricted principally to neurons. These data indicate that nicotine may alter its own metabolism in the brain through transcriptional regulation, perhaps contributing to central tolerance to the effects of nicotine. CYP2B1 and its human homologue CYP2B6 also activate tobacco smoke procarcinogens such as NNK [4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone]. Highly localized increases in CYP2B could result in increased mutagenesis. These data suggest roles for nicotine-induced CYP2B in central metabolic tolerance, nicotine-induced neurotoxicity, neuroplasticity, and carcinogenesis.

Metabolism, pharmacogenetics, and metabolic drug-drug interactions of antipsychotic drugs

1. Antipsychotic drugs are extensively metabolised by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. 2. Dispositions of a number of antipsychotic drugs have been shown to cosegregate with polymorphism of CYP2D6. 3. Metabolic drug-drug interactions have frequently been observed when antipsychotics are coadministered with other drugs. 4. Many antipsychotic drugs are converted to active metabolites which can contribute to the therapeutic or side effects of the parent drug. 5. Information concerning the individual CYP isoenzymes involved in the metabolism of antipsychotic drugs is important for the safe clinical use of this group of drugs.

Expression and localisation of CYP2D enzymes in rat basal ganglia

P450 enzymes in the CYP2D subfamily have been suggested to contribute to the susceptibility of individuals in developing Parkinson's disease. We have used specific anti-peptide antisera and peroxidase immunohistochemistry to investigate the expression of CYP2D enzymes in the rat brain and some possible factors that may affect their regulation. In male Wistar rats, CYP2D1 was not detected in the basal ganglia or in any other brain region. CYP2D2 was weakly expressed within neurones of the subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra and interpeduncular nucleus as well as in the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, red nucleus and pontine nucleus. CYP2D3 and CYP2D4 were absent from the basal ganglia, although moderate amounts of CYP2D3 were detected within fibres of the oculomotor root, and very low levels of CYP2D4 were present in white matter tracts. In contrast, CYP2D5 was extensively expressed in the basal ganglia, including neurones in the subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra and interpeduncular nucleus, as well as other areas of the brain, including the ventral tegmental area, piriform cortex, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, medial habenular nucleus, thalamic nucleus and pontine nucleus. Lesioning of the nigro-striatal tract to cause almost a complete loss of tyrosine hydroxylase containing neurones in the substantia nigra, also reduced the number of neurones expressing CYP2D5 by 50%, indicating that CYP2D5 is expressed in dopaminergic neurones. Castration of pre-pubertal or adult Wistar rats had no effect on the number of CYP2D5-positive neurones in the substantia nigra. Although Dark Agouti rats lack hepatic CYP2D2, expression in the midbrain was similar to that of Wistar rats; furthermore, there was no difference in expression or distribution between male and female rats. In contrast to naive rats, extensive expression of CYP2D4 was found throughout the basal ganglia and in other brain nuclei in Wistar rats treated with not only clozapine, but also saline, suggesting that CYP2D4 may be induced as a result of mild stress. The function of CYP2D enzymes in the brain remains unknown, but their selective localisation suggests a physiological role in neuronal activity and in adaptation to abnormal situations.

High-performance liquid chromatographic methods for the analysis of haloperidol and chlorpromazine metabolism in vitro by purified cytochrome P450 isoforms

Sensitive HPLC methods for the resolution and quantitation of metabolites of both haloperidol and chlorpromazine metabolism have been developed for use in in vitro reconstitution assays with purified P450 isoforms. Separation of haloperidol metabolites was accomplished using a Hypersil CPS column with a mobile phase of 67% acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate, pH 5.4. Separation of chlorpromazine metabolites was achieved using an Ultrasphere cyano column with a mobile phase of 87.5% acetonitrile, 5% methanol, 3% 0.12 M sodium acetate, 3% 0.12 M ammonium acetate, 0.01% diethylamine and 0.01% triethylamine, pH 9.5. Sharp resolution was observed for haloperidol and three of its major metabolites and for chlorpromazine and five of its major metabolites. Varying levels and combinations of these metabolites are formed during in vitro incubations of parent compound with purified P450 isoforms 1A1 and 2B1 in a reconstituted system.

Effect of phenytoin on cytochrome P450 2B mRNA expression in primary rat astrocyte cultures

Studies on cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B) in the brain have essentially been focused on protein characterization and regional distribution. Due to the high sequence homology between the closely related CYP2B1 and 2B2 isoforms and the low amounts of the corresponding mRNAs few efforts have been made to analyze the expression, regulation, and inducibility of these P450 genes in a specific cell type. In the present study, we investigated CYP2B mRNA expression in primary rat astrocyte cultures under the influence of the anti-epileptic drug phenytoin, which is known to be a CYP2B inducing agent in liver. In situ hybridization with a digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled cRNA probe demonstrated that 30-40% of the astrocytes strongly expressed a CYP2B mRNA-specific signal within the first week of cultivation. With increasing age (> 14 days) a greater percentage of cells (>90%) expressed mRNA for P450 2B. However, the level of transcriptional activity was substantially lower than in younger cultures. To discriminate between the 2B1 and 2B2 isoforms the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) procedures were proved for rat hepatic mRNA as a control assay. Subsequently, the application of this method on cultured astrocytes confirmed that these brain cells may express CYP2B1 mRNA. CYP2B2 mRNA could not be detected in astrocyte cultures at any age examined. Phenytoin led to the down regulation of CYP2B1 mRNA, which contrasts with the drug inducing effect on hepatic CYP2B1 and 2B2 levels. After 4 hr of exposure of phenytoin to the astrocytes no amplification product could be detected at all. Phenytoin did not induce either CYP2B1 or 2B2 expression.

Co-localization of P450 enzymes in the rat substantia nigra with tyrosine hydroxylase

Susceptibility to develop Parkinson's disease has been linked to abnormalities of P450 enzyme function. Multiple P450 enzymes are expressed in brain but the relationship of these to Parkinson's disease is unknown. We have investigated the expression of P450 enzymes in the rat substantia nigra and their co-localization in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons and astrocytes. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-peptide antisera against the following P450 enzymes: CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C12, CYP2C13/2C6, CYP2D1, CYP2D4, CYP2E1, CYP3A1, CYP3A2 and NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase. Immunoreactivity in nigral cells was found only for CYP2E1 and CYP2C13/2C6. CYP2E1 immunoreactivity was localized to many midbrain nuclei including the substantia nigra pars compacta but not the substantia nigra pars reticulata while immunoreactivity to CYP2C13/2C6 was found in the substantia nigra pars compacta, substantia nigra pars reticulata and many other midbrain nuclei. Sections of rat midbrain double labelled for either CYP2E1 or CYP2C13/2C6 and tyrosine hydroxylase or glial fibrillary acidic protein were examined for co-localization by confocal laser scanning microscopy. CYP2E1 and CYP2C13/2C6 immunoreactivity was found in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta but not in glial cells. CYP2C13/2C6, but not CYP2E1, was also found in non-glial, non-tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing cells in the substantia nigra pars reticulata. Isoniazid induction increased CYP2E1 fluorescence signal intensity from nigral dopaminergic neurons. At least two P450 enzymes are found in nigral dopamine containing cells and one, namely CYP2E1, is selectively localized to this cell population. CYP2E1 is a potent generator of free radicals which may contribute to nigral pathology in Parkinson's disease. The expression of CYP2E1 in dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra raises the possibility of a causal association with Parkinson's disease.

Metabolism of xenobiotics in the central nervous system: implications and challenges

The metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics in situ in the brain has far-reaching implications in the pharmacological and pharmacodynamic effects of drugs acting on the CNS, particularly with respect to psychoactive drugs wherein a wide range of therapeutic response is typically seen in the patient population. An entirely functional cytochrome P450 (P450) monooxygenase system is known to exist in the rodent and human brain, wherein it is preferentially localized in the neuronal cells, which are the sites of action of psychoactive drugs. Further, bioactivation of xenobiotics, in situ, in the CNS would result in the formation of reactive, toxic metabolites in the neuronal cells that have limited regenerative capability. The presence of P450 enzymes in selective cell populations within distinctive regions of the brain that are affected in certain neurodegenerative disorders implies the potential role of P450-mediated bioactivation as a causative factor in the etiopathogenesis of these diseases. The characterization of brain-specific P450s and their regulation and localization within the CNS assume importance for understanding the potential role of these enzymes in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and psychopharmacological modulation of drugs acting on the CNS.

The effect of ethanol and acetaldehyde on microsomal and mitochondrial membrane fatty acid profiles in cultured rat astroglia

It has been shown that free radical damage may be involved in ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in cultured neural cells. Since changes in oxidative metabolism and the resulting lipid peroxidation readily modify biological membranes and alter cell functions we studied the effect of ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde on rat astroglial fatty acids profiles in the most common lipid classes of mitochondrial and microsomal membranes, i.e. phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Rat astroglial cells were grown for 1 week in the presence of 50 m M or 100 m M ethanol. To examine acetaldehyde effects we used a 4-day co-culture model consisting of astroglial cells and alcohol dehydrogenase-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Acetaldehyde produced by these cells reached 172 mu M and 265 mu M, respectively, for ethanol concentrations of 10 and 20 m M. Mitochondrial and microsomal membranes were prepared by differential centrifugation, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were separated using thin layer chromatography and fatty acid quantitation was performed by GLC. Neither ethanol nor acetaldehyde changed the mitochondrial phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine profiles of total saturated, mono-unsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, some significant alterations in particular fatty acids appeared especially after acetaldehyde but also after the highest ethanol dose. In microsomal phosphatidylcholine monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly increased after both, ethanol and acetaldehyde exposure. Among polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid was found to be especially affected by both ethanol and acetaldehyde. Similar decreases were observed in adrenic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the groups treated with ethanol. In microsomal phosphatidylethanolamine, ethanol and acetaldehyde decreased monounsaturated and some polyunsaturated fatty acids. These data support the role of peroxidative processes in cultured rat astroglia exposed to ethanol and point to the role of acetaldehyde in this mechanism.

Changes in IP3R1 and SERCA2b mRNA levels in the gerbil brain after chronic ethanol administration and transient cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Despite epidemiological studies indicating a positive relationship between alcohol and stroke, little is known with regard to effect of chronic alcohol on neuronal injury after stroke. In this study, we examined the effect of chronic ethanol on mRNA levels of sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2b) and inositol 1,4, 5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R1) in gerbils subjected to global cerebral ischemia induced by ligation of both common carotid arteries. Gerbils were given daily by intragastric intubation either a liquid diet containing ethanol (4 g/kg) or the same diet with an isocaloric amount of sucrose for 35 days. They were subsequently subjected to a 5 min ischemic insult followed by reperfusion for 48 h. In agreement with other studies, ischemic insult caused significant decreases (P<0.05) in mRNA levels of both IP3R1 and SERCA2b in the hippocampal CA1 region but not in the dentate gyrus. Nevertheless, despite a significant (P<0.05) decrease in SERCA2b mRNA in the Purkinje neurons, chronic ethanol did not alter the expression of this mRNA species in the hippocampal CA1 neurons nor did it alter the decrease in SERCA2b mRNA due to cerebral ischemic insult. Since IP3R1 and SERCA2b are key mediators for regulation of intracellular Ca2+ stores, the decrease in SERCA2b mRNA but not IP3R1 mRNA in cerebellar neurons may be an important mechanism underlying alteration of calcium homeostasis and cerebellar degeneration upon chronic ethanol consumption.

Expression and induction of cytochrome P-450 1A1 and P-450 2D subfamily in the rat glioma C6 cell line

The cytochrome P-450 (P-450) monooxygenase system can catalyze the oxidation of a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds, including steroid hormones, fatty acids, drugs and pollutants. The functions of this system are as diverse as the substrates. Though this enzyme system has the highest level of activity in the liver, it is present in other tissues, including brain. In this study, we have established the rat glioma C6 cell line as an in vitro model system to examine the expression and induction of P-450 1A1 and the P-450 2D subfamily. Rat glioma C6 cells were treated with P-450 inducers phenobarbital (PB) or benzo[a]anthracene (BA). The presence of P-450 1A1 and 2D1-5 was detected by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion. The induction of P-450 1A1 and 2D1-5 was quantified using competitive PCR. Although P-450 2D1-5 do not seem to be affected by PB or BA treatment, tenfold induction of P-450 1A1 mRNA after BA treatment was detected. Western blot analysis of microsomal preparations of glioma C6 cells demonstrated the presence of P-450 1A1 at the protein level. ELISAs showed that BA induces P-450 1A1 proteins 7.3-fold. These experiments provide further evidence that the rat glioma C6 cell line contains an active cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system which can be induced by P-450 inducers. In summary, we believe the presence of the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system in glial cells of the brain may be important in chemotherapy and carcinogenesis of brain tumors.

Ethanol metabolism in the brain

Acetaldehyde is suspected of being involved in the central mechanism of central nervous system depression and addiction to ethanol, but in contrast to ethanol, it can not penetrate easily from blood into the brain because of metabolic barriers. Therefore, the possibility of ethanol metabolism and acetaldehyde formation inside the brain has been one of the crucial questions in biomedical research of alcoholism. This article reviews the recent progress in this area and summarizes the evidence on the first stage of ethanol oxidation in the brain and the specific enzyme systems involved. The brain alcohol dehydrogenase and microsomal ethanol oxidizing systems, including cytochrome P450 II E1 and catalase are considered. Their physicochemical properties, the isoform composition, substrate specificity, the regional and subcellular distribution in CNS structures, their contribution to brain ethanol metabolism, induction under ethanol administration and the role in the neurochemical mechanisms of psychopharmacological and neurotoxic effects of ethanol are discussed. In addition, the nonoxidative pathway of ethanol metabolism with the formation of fatty acid ethyl esters and phosphatidylethanol in the brain is described.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in rat brain: effect of chronic alcohol consumption

The effect of chronic ethanol exposure, in a liquid diet, on lipid peroxidation and some antioxidant systems of rat brain was investigated. Chronic ethanol administration induced a greater susceptibility to iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation, estimated as thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) production, in the microsomal fraction, but a lower lipid peroxidation in the total homogenate. Glutathione (GSH) levels as well as GSH peroxidase and GSH reductase were unaffected, while the activity of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase was decreased and that of catalase increased. Lipid peroxidation experiments performed in the presence of some hydroxyl radical scavengers suggested that a greater OH. generation may be responsible of the greater TBARS production in the microsomal fraction of ethanol treated rats; differently, in total homogenate of control and ethanol rats a relationship was found between the redox state of iron and TBARS production, suggesting that the lower lipid peroxidation in treated rats may depend on a different modulation of the iron redox state.

Putative oxidative metabolites of 1-methyl-6-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline of potential relevance to the addictive and neurodegenerative consequences of ethanol abuse

Ethanol is metabolized in the brain by catalase/H2O2 to yield acetaldehyde and by an ethanol-inducible form of cytochrome P450 (P450 IIE1) in a reaction that yields oxygen radicals. Within the cytoplasm of serotonergic axon terminals these metabolic pathways together provide conditions for the endogenous synthesis of 1-methyl-6-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (1), by reaction of acetaldehyde with unbound 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and for the oxygen radical-mediated oxidation of this alkaloid. The major initial product of the hydroxyl radical (HO.)-mediated oxidation of 1 in the presence of free glutathione (GSH), a constituent of nerve terminals and axons, is 8-S-glutathionyl-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-5,6-dione (6). When administered into the brains of mice, 6 is a potent toxin (LD50 = 2.9 microg) and evokes episodes of hyperactivity and tremor. Compound 6 binds at the GABA(B) receptor and evokes elevated release and turnover of several neurotransmitters. Furthermore, the GABA(B) receptor antagonist phaclofen attenuates the behavioral response caused by intracerebral administration of 6. These observations suggest that 6 might be an inverse agonist at the GABA(B) receptor site. Accordingly, it is speculated that ethanol drinking might potentiate formation of 6 that contributes to elevated release of several neurotransmitters including dopamine (DA) and endogenous opioids in regions of the brain innervated by serotonergic axon terminals. Subsequent interactions of DA and opioids with their receptors might be related to the initial development of dependence on ethanol. Redox cycling of 6 (and of several putative secondary metabolites) in the presence of intraneuronal antioxidants and molecular oxygen to produce elevated fluxes of cytotoxic reduced oxygen species might contribute to the degeneration of serotonergic pathways. Low levels of 5-HT in certain brain regions of the rat predisposes these animals to drink or augments drinking. Accordingly, 6, formed as a result of ethanol metabolism in the cytoplasm of certain serotonergic axon terminals, might contribute to the initial development of dependence on ethanol, by mediating DA and opioid release, and long-term preference and addiction to the fluid as a result of the progressive degeneration of these neurons.

Identification of cytochrome P450 2E1 in rat brain

We have isolated cDNA fragments that were originated from P450 2E1 in rat brain by PCR analysis. Their size matched up to what we expected based on the reported sequence of rat liver P450 2E1 mRNA. Internal structure of the longest first-round PCR products were investigated by Southern blot analysis and "nested" PCR. Their results confirmed that PCR products actually originated from P450 2E1 mRNA in rat brain. RT-PCR was also carried out using P450 2E1 specific primers and the size of the product was exactly as we expected for P450 2E1. These experimental evidences should clarify the presence of P450 2E1 in rat brain.

Selective localisation of P450 enzymes and NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase in rat basal ganglia using anti-peptide antisera

Environmental or endogenous toxins may cause nigral cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD) due to altered expression of P450 enzymes. In rat brain, immunohistochemistry using anti-peptide antisera showed NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase and CYP2B1/2 in various hypothalamic nuclei and CYP1A1 in the globus pallidus, but neither enzyme was expressed in substantia nigra. No specific immunoreactivity to CYP2D1 or CYP3A1 was found in any brain region examined. In contrast, CYP2E1 was expressed in substantia nigra and in striatal blood vessels. Since CYP2E1 is associated with free radical production, it may contribute to the oxidative stress believed to underlie nigral degeneration.

Interaction of exercise and ethanol on antioxidant enzymes in brain regions of the rat

This study investigates the effect of ethanol ingestion on antioxidant enzymes (AOE) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, (MDA) in different brain regions of the rat after acute exercise. Acute exercise (100% VO2max) significantly increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and decreased glutathione reductase (GR) activity in the cerebral cortex. Acute exercise significantly increased MDA level in the corpus striatum. Ethanol (20%) (1.6 g/kg, PO) significantly increased MDA level in the cerebral cortex. Ethanol also significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the cortex and catalase (CAT), GSH-Px, and GR activities in the corpus striatum. Ethanol significantly augmented CAT activity in the medulla and GSH-Px activity in the hypothalamus. However, CAT activity significantly decreased in the hypothalamus after ethanol ingestion. The combination significantly increased GSH-Px activity in the hypothalamus, SOD activity in the cortex, GR activity in the striatum, and MDA level in the medulla. In conclusion, the cerebral cortex, striatum medulla, and hypothalamus reacted differentially in response to ethanol as well as to acute exercise-induced oxidative stress whereas the combination moderated the changes in AOE activity in specific brain regions.