Effect of methoxychlor and estradiol on cytochrome p450 enzymes in the mouse ovarian surface epithelium

Gut microbiome affects the metabolism of metronidazole in mice through regulation of hepatic cytochromes P450 expression

Microbiome is now considered as a significant metabolic organ with an immense potential to influence overall human health. A number of diseases that are associated with pharmacotherapy interventions was linked with altered gut microbiota. Moreover, it has been reported earlier that gut microbiome modulates the fate of more than 30 commonly used drugs and, vice versa, drugs have been shown to affect the composition of the gut microbiome. The molecular mechanisms of this mutual relationship, however, remain mostly elusive. Recent studies indicate an indirect effect of the gut microbiome through its metabolites on the expression of biotransformation enzymes in the liver. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of gut microbiome on the fate of metronidazole in the mice through modulation of system of drug metabolizing enzymes, namely by alteration of the expression and activity of selected cytochromes P450 (CYPs). To assess the influence of gut microbiome, germ-free mice (GF) in comparison to control specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice were used. First, it has been found that the absence of microbiota significantly affected plasma concentration of metronidazole, resulting in higher levels (by 30%) of the parent drug in murine plasma of GF mice. Further, the significant interaction between presence/absence of the gut microbiome and effect of metronidazole application, which together influence mRNA expression of CAR, PPARα, Cyp2b10 and Cyp2c38 was determined. Administration of metronidazole itself influenced significantly mRNA expression of Cyp1a2, Cyp2b10, Cyp2c38 and Cyp2d22. Finally, GF mice have shown lower level of enzyme activity of CYP2A and CYP3A than their SPF counterparts. The results hence have shown that, beside direct bacterial metabolism, different expression and enzyme activity of hepatic CYPs in the presence/absence of gut microbiota may be responsible for the altered metronidazole metabolism.

Development of a questionnaire-based insecticide exposure assessment method and comparison with urinary insecticide biomarkers in young Australian children

Environmental and behavioural factors assessed via an online questionnaire were compared to insecticide metabolite concentrations in urine collected from 61 children from South East Queensland, Australia. Metabolite concentrations (μg/L urine) were transformed using the natural logarithm prior to regression analysis and adjusted for age and creatinine. A significant dietary association was reported for vegetable intake and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) (β: 1.47 for top quartile of intake versus bottom quartile of intake 95% CI: 0.36, 2.57). Intake of vegetables and fruit were also positively associated with sum non-specific organophosphate metabolites (ƩnsOP). ƩnsOP concentrations were lower when fruits and vegetables were always or almost always washed prior to cooking or eating (β: -0.69 95% CI: -1.25, -0.12). In multivariable modelling 3-PBA concentrations were also associated with hand-washing frequency (β: 1.69 95% CI: 0.76, 2.61 for <1 day versus > 3 day), presence of a dog in the home (β: 0.73 95% CI: 0.07, 1.38), frequency of pest-spray use in the summer months (β: 0.88 95% CI: 0.22, 1.54 weekly versus less than weekly) and season (β: 0.88 95% CI: 0.32, 1.44 for spring/summer versus winter/autumn). This is the first study in Australia to report dietary, behavioural and environmental factors associated with biomarkers of insecticide exposure in young children.

Early transformative changes in normal ovarian surface epithelium induced by oxidative stress require Akt upregulation, DNA damage and epithelial-stromal interaction

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy due to detection of cancer at a late stage when the disease has metastasized. One likely progenitor cell type of ovarian cancer is the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), which proliferates rapidly in the presence of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress following ovulation. To determine whether oxidative stress induces DNA damage leading to spontaneous transformative changes in normal OSE, an immortalized mouse OSE cell line (MOSE cells) or normal mouse ovarian organoids were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and loss of contact inhibition was assessed by soft agar assay. In response to H2O2, OSE cells grown in 3D exhibited growth in soft agar but MOSE cells grown on 2D plastic did not, indicating a critical role for epithelial-stromal interactions in neoplastic initiation. Loss of contact inhibition in response to H2O2 correlated with an increase in proliferation, DNA damage and upregulation of the oncogene Akt1. Use of a reactive oxygen species scavenger or Akt inhibitor blocked H2O2-induced proliferation and growth in soft agar. Although parental MOSE cells did not undergo transformation by H2O2, MOSE cells stably overexpressing constitutively active myristoylated Akt or knockdown of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) exhibited loss of contact inhibition and increased proliferation. This study indicates that normal OSE undergo transformative changes induced by oxidative stress and that this process requires Akt upregulation and activation. A 3D model that retains tissue architecture is critical for studying this process and may lead to development of new intervention strategies directed at early stages of ovarian cancer.

A mechanistic overview of health associated effects of low levels of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides

Organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides are compounds that can be detected in human populations as a result of occupational or residential exposure. Despite their occurrence in considerably low levels in humans, their biological effects are hazardous since they interact with a plethora of enzymes, proteins, receptors and transcription factors. In this review we summarize the cell and molecular effects of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides with respect to their toxicity, with particular emphasis on glucose and lipid metabolism, their interaction with some members of the nuclear receptor family of ligand-activated transcription factors, including the steroid and peroxisome proliferator activated receptors that changes the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and xenobiotic detoxification. More importantly, evidence regarding the metabolic degradation of pesticides and their accumulation in tissues is presented. Potential non-cholinergic mechanisms after long-term low-dose organophosphate exposure resulting in neurodevelopmental outcomes and neurodegeneration are also addressed. We conclude that the mechanism of pesticide-mediated toxicity is a combination of various enzyme-inhibitory, metabolic and transcriptional events acting at the cellular and molecular level.

Impact of environmental exposures on ovarian function and role of xenobiotic metabolism during ovotoxicity

The mammalian ovary is a heterogeneous organ and contains oocyte-containing follicles at varying stages of development. The most immature follicular stage, the primordial follicle, comprises the ovarian reserve and is a finite number, defined at the time of birth. Depletion of all follicles within the ovary leads to reproductive senescence, known as menopause. A number of chemical classes can destroy follicles, thus hastening entry into the menopausal state. The ovarian response to chemical exposure can determine the extent of ovotoxicity that occurs. Enzymes capable of bioactivating as well as detoxifying xenobiotics are expressed in the ovary and their impact on ovotoxicity has been partially characterized for trichloroethylene, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, and 4-vinylcyclohexene. This review will discuss those studies, as well as illustrate where knowledge gaps remain for chemicals that have also been established as ovotoxicants.

Modified expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-related genes by deoxymiroestrol, a phytoestrogen, in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Deoxymiroestrol (DM), a strong phytoestrogen from Pueraria candollei Wall. ex Benth. var. mirifica (family Leguminosae). This plant has long been used in traditional medicine for rejuvenation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-related genes in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture was quantified by real-time RT-PCR and hepatic microsomal P450 activity was assessed by using ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and CYP1A1 was suppressed, whereas that of CYP1B1, estrogen receptor α (ERα), CYP2B9, and glutathione-S-transferase a2 (GSTa2) was increased. The effects of DM on the gene expression depended on treatment period and concentrations, and were similar to those of β-estradiol (E2). DM and E2 at pharmacological concentrations had a marked synergistic effect on CYP1A1 expression after combined treatment with a typical CYP1 inducer, β-naphthoflavone (βNF), at the level of both transcription and enzymatic activity. DM enhanced the inducible mRNA expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 similar to E2. Meanwhile, the expression of ERα mRNA was not affected by βNF, which, on the contrary, completely eliminated the DM-induced mRNA expression of ERα, CYP2B9, and GSTa2.

CONCLUSION

The findings that DM modified the expression of several metabolism-related genes suggest the need for caution when using health supplements having phytoestrogenic activity.

Alginate hydrogels for three-dimensional organ culture of ovaries and oviducts

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women and has a 63% mortality rate in the United States(1). The cell type of origin for ovarian cancers is still in question and might be either the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) or the distal epithelium of the fallopian tube fimbriae(2,3). Culturing the normal cells as a primary culture in vitro will enable scientists to model specific changes that might lead to ovarian cancer in the distinct epithelium, thereby definitively determining the cell type of origin. This will allow development of more accurate biomarkers, animal models with tissue-specific gene changes, and better prevention strategies targeted to this disease. Maintaining normal cells in alginate hydrogels promotes short term in vitro culture of cells in their three-dimensional context and permits introduction of plasmid DNA, siRNA, and small molecules. By culturing organs in pieces that are derived from strategic cuts using a scalpel, several cultures from a single organ can be generated, increasing the number of experiments from a single animal. These cuts model aspects of ovulation leading to proliferation of the OSE, which is associated with ovarian cancer formation. Cell types such as the OSE that do not grow well on plastic surfaces can be cultured using this method and facilitate investigation into normal cellular processes or the earliest events in cancer formation(4). Alginate hydrogels can be used to support the growth of many types of tissues(5). Alginate is a linear polysaccharide composed of repeating units of β-D-mannuronic acid and α-L-guluronic acid that can be crosslinked with calcium ions, resulting in a gentle gelling action that does not damage tissues(6,7). Like other three-dimensional cell culture matrices such as Matrigel, alginate provides mechanical support for tissues; however, proteins are not reactive with the alginate matrix, and therefore alginate functions as a synthetic extracellular matrix that does not initiate cell signaling(5). The alginate hydrogel floats in standard cell culture medium and supports the architecture of the tissue growth in vitro. A method is presented for the preparation, separation, and embedding of ovarian and oviductal organ pieces into alginate hydrogels, which can be maintained in culture for up to two weeks. The enzymatic release of cells for analysis of proteins and RNA samples from the organ culture is also described. Finally, the growth of primary cell types is possible without genetic immortalization from mice and permits investigators to use knockout and transgenic mice.

Methoxychlor reduces estradiol levels by altering steroidogenesis and metabolism in mouse antral follicles in vitro

The organochlorine pesticide methoxychlor (MXC) is a known endocrine disruptor that affects adult rodent females by causing reduced fertility, persistent estrus, and ovarian atrophy. Since MXC is also known to target antral follicles, the major producer of sex steroids in the ovary, the present study was designed to test the hypothesis that MXC decreases estradiol (E₂) levels by altering steroidogenic and metabolic enzymes in the antral follicles. To test this hypothesis, antral follicles were isolated from CD-1 mouse ovaries and cultured with either dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or MXC. Follicle growth was measured every 24 h for 96 h. In addition, sex steroid hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes as well as the E₂ metabolic enzyme Cyp1b1 were measured using qPCR. The results indicate that MXC decreased E₂, testosterone, androstenedione, and progesterone (P₄) levels compared to DMSO. In addition, MXC decreased expression of aromatase (Cyp19a1), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (Hsd17b1), 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (Cyp17a1), 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (Hsd3b1), cholesterol side-chain cleavage (Cyp11a1), steroid acute regulatory protein (Star), and increased expression of Cyp1b1 enzyme levels. Thus, these data suggest that MXC decreases steroidogenic enzyme levels, increases metabolic enzyme expression and this in turn leads to decreased sex steroid hormone levels.

Increased sensitivity of estrogen receptor alpha overexpressing antral follicles to methoxychlor and its metabolites

Methoxychlor (MXC), an organochlorine pesticide, and its metabolites, mono-hydroxy MXC (MOH) and bis-hydroxy MXC (HPTE) are known ovarian toxicants and can cause inhibition of antral follicle growth. Since these chemicals bind to estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), we hypothesized that ovaries overexpressing ESR1 (ESR1 OE) would be more susceptible to toxicity induced by MXC and its metabolites because the chemicals can bind to more ESR1 in the antral follicles. We cultured antral follicles from controls and ESR1 OE mouse ovaries with either the vehicle dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), MXC, MOH, or HPTE. The data show that at 96 h, the cultured antral follicles from ESR1 OE antral follicles are more susceptible to toxicity induced by MXC, MOH, and HPTE because low doses of these chemicals cause follicle growth inhibition in ESR1 OE mice but not in control mice. On comparing gene expression levels of nuclear receptors in the cultured antral follicles of ESR1 OE and control follicles, we found differential messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Esr1, estrogen receptor beta (Esr2), androgen receptor (Ar), progesterone receptor (Pr), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) between the genotypes. We also analyzed mRNA levels of Cyp3a41a, the enzyme metabolizing MOH and HPTE, in the cultured follicles and found that Cyp3a41a was significantly lower in DMSO-treated ESR1 OE follicles compared with controls. In ESR1 OE livers, we found that Cyp3a41a levels were significantly lower compared with control livers. Collectively, these data suggest that MXC and its metabolites cause differential gene expression in ESR1 OE mice compared with controls. The results also suggest that the increased sensitivity of ESR1 OE mouse ovaries to toxicity induced by MXC and its metabolites is due to low clearance of the metabolites by the liver and ovary.

Methoxychlor and estradiol induce oxidative stress DNA damage in the mouse ovarian surface epithelium

Estrogenic compounds such as 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) and methoxychlor (MXC) induce oxidative stress damage in breast cells and mouse ovarian follicles, respectively. However, little is known about whether estrogenic compounds cause oxidative stress in the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Thus, this work tested the hypothesis that E(2) and MXC cause oxidative stress in the OSE. To test this hypothesis, we employed an improved mouse tissue culture assay in which OSE cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; positive control), MXC, or E(2) +/- the anti-oxidant vitamin E, or progesterone. The cells then were subjected to a novel direct immunofluorescent assay in which cells in the microtiter plate were reacted with antibodies that detect oxidative damage to DNA (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine). The signal was identified with a tyramide Alexa Fluor fluorescent probe and quantified by microfluorimetry. Correction for cellularity was carried out for each well with a fluorescent DNA dye system (CyQuant) at a different wavelength. After 24 h, the mean Alexa Fluor CyQuant ratio was 11.3 +/- 0.9 for controls, 132 +/- 15 for H2O2 treated positive control cells (p < or = 0.01 from control), 105 +/- 6.6 for E(2) treated cells (p < or = 0.01 from control), and 64 +/- 5.1 for MXC-treated cells (p < or = 0.01 from control). After 72 h, the mean ratio was 121 +/- 10.6 for controls, 391 +/- 23 for H2O2 treated cells (p < or = 0.01 from control), 200 +/- 15 for E(2) treated cells (p < or = 0.03), and 228 +/- 21 for MXC-treated cells (p < or = 0.01). Further, vitamin E, but not progesterone, protected OSE cells from E(2)- and MXC-induced oxidative damage. This study demonstrates the feasibility of direct immunofluorescent quantitation of DNA adducts in cell cultures without DNA extraction. Moreover, these data indicate that E(2) and MXC produce oxidative DNA damage in the OSE, and that this damage is prevented by the anti-oxidant vitamin E.

The pesticide heptachlor affects steroid hormone secretion in isolated follicular and luteal cells of rat

Heptachlor, a chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide, suppresses the production of progesterone and estradiol in the female rat in vivo or in isolated ovaries in vitro. In this study the effect of heptachlor on steroid hormone production by isolated rat luteal and follicular cells, in the presence of two precursor hormones was investigated. Ovaries were isolated from anesthetized mature normocyclic virgin rats (3 to 4 months old), under sterile conditions. Corpora lutea and follicles were microscopically dissected out and separately enzymatically dispersed with collagenase at 37 degrees C. Viable cells collected after centrifugation were used at a concentration of approximately 2.5 x 10(5) cells/10 mL. Both luteal and follicular cell preparations were separately incubated overnight (15 h) at 37 degrees C in the presence of pregnenolone (P5) and androstenedione (A4) at a concentration of 6.0 nmol/L each, and heptachlor at either 0.12 microg/mL (low dose) or 1.20 microg/mL (high dose) (test cells) or in the absence of heptachlor (control cells). At the end of the incubations, progesterone and estradiol 17beta levels were analyzed in the incubation media. The results indicate that heptachlor significantly suppressed the production of both progesterone and estradiol in both cell types in a dose related manner even in the presence of A4 and P5 as precursor hormones (P<0.05).

Methoxychlor induces atresia of antral follicles in ERalpha-overexpressing mice

Methoxychlor (MXC) is a pesticide that is known to bind to estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and to induce atresia of antral ovarian follicles. Although studies have shown that MXC is toxic to the ovary, we hypothesize that perturbation to the estrogen-signaling system (i.e., increase or decrease in estrogen sensitivity) might alter ovarian responsiveness to MXC. Thus, we examined whether ERalpha overexpression alters the ability of MXC to increase follicle atresia. To do so, we employed a transgenic mouse model in which ERalpha can be inducibly overexpressed in animal tissues (ERalpha overexpressors). We dosed female controls and ERalpha overexpressors with sesame oil (vehicle control) or MXC (32 and 64 mg/kg/day) for 20 days. After dosing, the ovaries were collected for histological evaluation of follicle numbers and follicle atresia, while blood was collected for measurements of hormones. Estrous cycles were determined in all animals to ensure that all were terminated during estrus. Although there were no significant effects of MXC on the numbers of primordial, primary, and preantral follicles in both controls and ERalpha overexpressors, there was an effect on antral follicles. Specifically, our data indicate that 32 and 64 mg/kg MXC increased the percentage of atretic follicles compared to vehicle in both control and ERalpha overexpressor groups. Moreover, there was a clear trend toward greater sensitivity to 64 mg/kg MXC in ERalpha-overexpressing mice compared to control animals. Specifically, at the 64-mg/kg MXC dose, ERalpha-overexpressing mice had a significantly higher percentage of atretic follicles compared to control animals (controls = 21.5 +/- 3%, n = 5; ERalpha overexpressors = 37 +/- 23%, n = 9, p < or = 0.05 vs. controls). After 20 days of dosing, there were no differences in estradiol levels between controls and ERalpha-overexpressing mice in all treatment groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were similar in sesame oil-treated control mice and control mice treated with 32 mg/kg MXC, while control mice treated with 64 mg/kg MXC had significantly lower levels of FSH compared to sesame oil-treated controls (sesame oil = 4.31 +/- 0.7, MXC [64 mg/kg/day] = 1.89 +/- 0.4, n = 3, p < or = 0.02 vs. sesame oil). ERalpha-overexpressing mice treated with sesame oil, 32 or 64 mg/kg MXC, had similar FSH levels. Thus, we observed an increased percentage of atretic antral follicles in ERalpha-overexpressing mice treated with MXC compared to control mice treated with the same compound, suggesting that the ERalpha-signaling pathway plays an important role in MXC-induced atresia. The trend toward greater sensitivity to MXC in ERalpha-overexpressing mice compared to control animals cannot be explained by alterations in estradiol and/or FSH levels.

Methoxychlor Metabolites May Cause Ovarian Toxicity Through Estrogen-Regulated Pathways

The pesticide methoxychlor (MXC) is a reproductive toxicant that targets antral follicles of the mammalian ovary. Cytochrome P450 enzymes metabolize MXC to mono-OH MXC (1,1,1-trichloro-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethane [mono-OH]) and bis-OH MXC (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane [HPTE]), two compounds that are proposed to be more toxic than the parent compound, can interact with the estrogen receptor (ER), and are proposed to be responsible for ovarian toxicity. Thus, this work tested the hypothesis that MXC metabolites may be responsible for inducing antral follicle-specific toxicities in the ovary and that this toxicity may be mediated through ER-regulated pathways. Mouse antral follicles were isolated and exposed to mono-OH (0.01-10 microg/ml), HPTE (0.01-10 microg/ml), or MXC (100 microg/ml) alone or in combination with ICI 182,780 (ICI; 1 microM) or 17beta-estradiol (E2; 10 and 50 nM) for 96 h. Follicle diameters were measured at 24-h intervals. After culture, follicles were morphologically evaluated for atresia. Both mono-OH and HPTE (10 microg/ml) inhibited follicle growth and increased follicle atresia. The antiestrogen, ICI, did not protect antral follicles from MXC or metabolite toxicity in regard to follicle growth or atresia, but E2 decreased MXC- and mono-OH-induced atresia in small antral follicles. These data suggest that MXC metabolites inhibit follicle growth and induce atresia and that ER-regulated pathways may mediate the ovarian toxicity of MXC and its metabolites.

The methoxychlor metabolite, 2,2-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane, inhibits steroidogenesis in rat ovarian granulosa cells in vitro

The exquisitely balanced hormonal mechanisms that control female fertility can be affected by several internal and external factors including pathogens, genetic maladies, and environmental agents. In the latter group are natural and synthetic agents known as endocrine disruptors. One such compound, 2,2-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE), is the predominant metabolite of the pesticide methoxychlor. The effects of HPTE on ovarian steroidogenesis have not been previously reported and were investigated in the present study. Granulosa cells harvested from immature rats were treated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or N(6),2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP) in the presence or absence of HPTE. After 48h, progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17beta (E2) concentrations were measured in the culture media. Steady-state levels of the mRNAs encoding steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3beta-HSD), and P450 aromatase (P450arom) were examined using real-time PCR. Both FSH- and db-cAMP-stimulated P(4) accumulation were impaired by HPTE. In contrast, FSH-, but not db-cAMP-stimulated, E2 content was suppressed by HPTE. The FSH-dependent increase in the abundance of P450scc, 3beta-HSD, and P450arom mRNAs was blocked by HPTE; however, StAR expression was not altered. Although db-cAMP-dependent P450arom was moderately reduced by HPTE, the levels of db-cAMP-dependent StAR, P450scc, and 3beta-HSD mRNAs were increased in the presence of HPTE. These data collectively show that HPTE can disrupt P4 and E2 production in granulosa cells, with implications for sites of action both preceding and following the generation of cAMP. The steroid-modulatory effects of HPTE in granulosa cells appear to involve the general suppression of the FSH-dependent expression of mRNAs encoding steroid pathway proteins, whereas the disparate effects of HPTE on cAMP-dependent mRNA content in this regard suggest a broader and more complex mechanism of action.