Qualitative alteration in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 apoproteins associated with bile duct ligation, and the administration of ethinyl estradiol, phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene

Reversible bile acid changes in bile duct obstruction and its potential for hepatocellular injury

The etiology of hepatocellular dysfunction resulting from chronic biliary obstruction is not clearly understood. Alterations in bile acid metabolism due to changes in microsomal cytochrome P-450 enzyme activities may have a fundamental role in cholestatic liver injury. This study examines the very early changes in both biliary bile acids and hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content after bile duct obstruction in the rat and the effects of the restoration of bile flow after 3 days of biliary obstruction. We found that early induction of cytochrome P-450 may be a fundamental step in the generation of cholestatic liver injury mediated by hepatotoxic bile acids. The rapid reversal of bile acid changes with reconstituted bile flow indicate that the liver is able to quickly recover when obstruction is relieved. Characterization of this fundamental process may ultimately provide a means of modulation of cholestatic hepatotoxicity.

BCNU-induced quantitative and qualitative changes in hepatic cytochrome P-450 can be correlated with cholestasis

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given single i.p. injections of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-Nitrosourea (BCNU) to investigate changes in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and metabolic activity. On day 14 after treatment (20 mg/kg), cytochrome P-450 content had decreased by approximately 25% and ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity (nmol product/nmol P-450/min) had decreased by 36%. In contrast, ethylmorphine O-deethylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activities were not significantly decreased by BCNU treatment. Hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity was only 60% of control values, and microsomal heme oxygenase activity was slightly but not statistically elevated. Cytochrome P-450 content in control and BCNU-treated rats increased in a similar manner after phenobarbital or beta-naphthoflavone induction. Electrophoretic analysis of cytochrome P-450 proteins isolated from hepatic endoplasmic reticular membranes of treated and control rats suggested that alterations in these proteins occurred in BCNU-treated rats. These changes in cytochrome P-450 content and activity are very similar to those reported in isolated systems exposed to bile acids or in rats with experimentally produced cholestasis. BCNU has been shown to produce cholestasis, which precedes its effects on microsomal mixed-function oxygenase activity. Thus, the delayed effects of BCNU on microsomal drug metabolism are probably secondary to its interference with bile formation.

Relation between renal and hepatic excretion of drugs: III. Comparison of various methods reducing the renal or hepatic excretory capacity of rats

In previous investigations bilateral nephrectomy (NX) and bile duct ligation (DL) were used to interrupt the renal or biliary excretion route, respectively. But competent doubt arose concerning the comparability of both interferences. In the case of DL the liver could influence the possible compensatory increase of renal excretion capacity; after removal of both kidneys such feedback on the liver is impossible. Therefore the corresponding operations were tested: bilateral ureter obstruction (UO) and so-called functional hepatectomy (fHX) caused by ligation of the porta hepatis. The time courses of a compensatory intensification of the excretory function of liver or kidney have been demonstrated. The following general conclusions can be drawn: fHX is characterized by some drawbacks because of its severe negative systemic effects. Thus DL should be preferred because the compensatory renal excretion capacity can be investigated without a significant reduction of the animal's vital forces. In contrast, NX seems to be the method of choice interrupting renal excretion. It is possible to remove both kidneys without a disturbance of other organ functions and the unpredictable effects of the hydronephrotic kidneys after UO on the whole organism are excluded. At least it is optimal to perform clearance studies approximately 24 h after both NX/UO or DL, because already at this time the phenomena of compensation have become maximal.

Regulation of renal cytochrome P-450. Effects of two-thirds hepatectomy, cholestasis, biliary cirrhosis and post-necrotic cirrhosis on hepatic and renal microsomal enzymes

The possibility of a relationship between hepatic and renal cytochrome P-450 contents was assessed in rats with liver disease. In rats killed 3 days after two-thirds hepatectomy (a model for hepatocellular insufficiency), the total microsomal cytochrome P-450 content of the whole liver was decreased by 60% as compared to that in control rats; renal cytochrome P-450 was increased by 30% while the 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase activity of kidney microsomes was increased by 80%. In rats killed 7 days after bile duct ligation (a model for cholestasis) or 35 days after bile duct ligation (a model for biliary cirrhosis), hepatic cytochrome P-450 was decreased by 60% and 45%, respectively, while renal cytochrome P-450 content was increased by 50% and 150%, respectively. In contrast, in rats killed 15 days after the last dose of carbon tetrachloride, 1.3 ml/kg twice weekly for 3 months (a model for post-necrotic cirrhosis), both hepatic and renal cytochrome P-450 contents remained unchanged. Phenobarbital (80 mg/kg daily for 3 days) was a poor inducer of renal cytochrome P-450 in sham-operated rats but became a potent inducer of renal cytochrome P-450 in rats with two-thirds hepatectomy. We conclude that renal cytochrome P-450 is increased in three models in which hepatic cytochrome P-450 contents are decreased (two-thirds hepatectomy, cholestasis and biliary cirrhosis), but remains unchanged in a model of severe liver pathology, in which hepatic cytochrome P-450 content is not modified (late, post-necrotic cirrhosis). The hypothetical role of endogenous inducer(s) is discussed.

Effect of some synthetic steroids on rat liver function

Norethynodrel proved to have moderately potent effects on hepatic function in female rats. It causes (a) loss of body mass, (b) increase in the relative liver mass, (c) rise in the protein content of liver, (d) increase in the cytochrome P-450 level, (e) reduction in the length of pentobarbital-induced sleep, and (f) increase in the rate of biotransformation of (i) aniline and (ii) aminopyrine. In contrast, ethynyl estradiol was shown to have little or no effect as judged by the same criteria, but, like norethynodrel, progesterone and estradiol, caused loss of body mass.

Methods in testing interrelationships between excretion of drugs via urine and bile

The liver and kidney are largely responsible for inactivating and eliminating drugs and other chemicals. As the excretory capabilities of the two organs overlap, a damage of one system might be compensated by the other. Because of the specificity of both renal and hepatic elimination mechanisms such an alternative excretion route is not possible generally. Several interferences are possible to characterize the relation between hepatic and renal excretion of drugs and xenobiotics. Firstly, the simultaneous assay of excreted drug amounts in urine and bile can give some information concerning the main transport routes of this drug. Thereafter the total interruption of liver or kidney function elucidates the general possibility of alternative excretion routes. But it is important for clinical practice to distinguish between different localizations of organ damages. Today some experimental possibilities exist to exclude partial functions of both kidney and liver separately. Thus it can be clarified why a compound might be excreted via liver or kidney. Moreover it can be characterized whether or not a compensation for the loss of one main excretion organ is possible or not. Such investigations are of some practical importance. Dosing guidelines for drug therapy must be completed for cases of renal or hepatic failure. Moreover the developmental pattern of both elimination routes has consequences for drug use in paediatrics as well as geriatrics. Beside this point of view such investigations are necessary for the prediction of changes in the toxicity of drugs after renal or hepatic insufficiency.

Hepatic vitamin D 25-hydroxylase: inhibition by bile duct ligation or bile salts

Bone disease and low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are prevalent in cholestatic syndromes such as primary biliary cirrhosis and biliary atresia. Defective hydroxylation, along with malabsorption of vitamin D, could be a factor in 25-hydroxyvitamin D depletion. To assess hepatic hydroxylation during experimental cholestasis, we studied vitamin D 25-hydroxylase activity in liver homogenates of rats after 7, 14, and 21 days of bile duct ligation. We have also studied the effects of bile acids on this enzyme in vitro. Hepatic 25-hydroxylation was depressed after 7 days ligation in only 1 of 4 animals, but by 14 days, all animals showed a marked reduction with a mean decrease of 64% in specific activity. Total liver enzyme activity was reduced by 43% at 14 days. In the ligated animals, liver histology showed progressive bile stasis, focal necrosis, bile ductular proliferation, periductular and periportal inflammation, and fibrosis. Addition of bile acids to the in vitro assay in concentrations approximating those found in cholestasis produced marked inhibition of vitamin D 25-hydroxylase activity.

Correlation between changes in enzymatic activities and induction of different forms of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 after phenobarbital-, 3-methylcholanthrene- and 16 alpha-cyanopregnenolone treatment

Multiple forms of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 in rats were identified on SDS-polyacrylamide gels stained for protein and peroxidase activity after induction with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, and 16 alpha-cyanopregnenolone. The induced forms were correlated to the in vitro metabolism of biphenyl, benzo(a)pyrene and the steroids 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol. Induction of two forms with apparent molecular weights of 54,000 (RLvMc P-450 54) AND 50,000 (RLvMc P-450 50) was obtained with phenobarbital, induction of RLvMc P-450 55 and RLvMc P-450 58 with 3-methylcholanthrene and induction of FLvMc P-450 54 with 16 alpha-cyanopregnenolone. The RLvMc P-450 50 was mainly associated with the formation of benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-dihydrodiol, and 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione. The RLvMc P-450 55 and/or the RLvMc P-450 58 was mainly associated with the formation of 2- and 3-hydroxybiphenyl and benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol and FLvMc P-450 54 was to some extent associated with the formation of benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-dihydrodiol and several metabolites of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol. It is suggested that SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis may be a valuable complement to enzyme assays in evaluating effects of drugs and environmental chemicals on the liver microsomal hydroxylase system.

Multiple forms of inducible drug-metabolizing enzymes: a reasonable mechanism by which any organism can cope with adversity

All organisms possess a number of genetically regulated mechanisms in order to cope with rapid adverse changes in the environment. The two systems which appear to respond to a seemingly endless array of chemical specificities are the immune response and the induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Similarities and differences between the immunoglobulin and the cytochrome P-450-mediated monooxygenase systems are described. DNA insertion sequences, plasmid "transposons," maize "controlling elements," gene duplication, intervening sequences, and high-frequency intergenic recombination are all discussed as possible methods by which organisms can "adapt" quickly to a new selective pressure. If the regulation of P-450 induction resembles in any way the other methods by which pro- and eukaryotes cope genetically with numerous forms of environmental adversity, therefore, it is very likely that mammalian tissues contain hundreds, if not thousands, of inducible forms of P-450.