Effects of estrogen on the stress response in CuSO4-exposed PLHC-1 cells

As part of an effort to validate the use of heat shock proteins (hsp) as a biomarker of adverse effect, we investigated the impact of estrogen (E2), the hormone responsible for vitellogenisis in fish, on the induction of hsp 60 and 70. PLHC-1 (Pociliopsis lucida hepatoma cell line) cells were cultured under standard conditions and treated with either 16 ppm copper; a known inducer of hsp 60 and 70, 1 microM estradiol, a combination of copper and estradiol, or media alone. Copper induced both hsp 60 and 70 two fold, while E2 alone had no effect. The combination of the copper and E2 inhibited the hsp 70 response, indicated by a 51% decrease in cellular hsp 70 compared to the copper treatment alone. In contrast, the expression of hsp 60 in the cells exposed to the copper-estradiol mixture was not significantly different than that in the copper-exposed cells. The results suggest that the use of hsp 70 induction in fish liver as a biomarker of effect may be limited by the gender and sexual maturity of the fish.

Brevetoxin-6 (PbTx-6), a nonaromatic marine neurotoxin, is a ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Brevetoxins (PbTx) are a family of marine polyether toxins that exert their toxic action by activating voltage-sensitive sodium channels. Two forms of brevetoxin, PbTx-2 and -3, induce hepatic cytochrome P4501A1, measured as ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, in redfish and striped bass. P4501A1 induction is transcriptionally regulated through the binding of a ligand, typically a planar aromatic compound, to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and subsequent complex formation with the dioxin response element (DRE), an upstream regulatory region of the CYP1A1 gene. To determine if PbTx, a nonaromatic compound, induced EROD by this mechanism, two sets of experiments were performed. Initially, saturation binding assays with PbTx-2, -3, and -6 were carried out to determine if PbTx-2, -3, or -6 was an AhR ligand. Results showed that PbTx-6 inhibited specific binding of dioxin to the AhR, whereas PbTx-2 and -3 had no effect. Subsequently, gel retardation assays showed that PbTx-6 caused a concentration-dependent increase in AhR-DRE complex formation. The most abundant and neurotoxic forms of brevetoxin, PbTx-2 and -3, did not appear to be involved in this process. However, PbTx-6, the epoxide which is a likely biotransformation product, is at least one of the forms of PbTx involved in EROD induction.

Brevetoxin: tissue distribution and effect on cytochrome P450 enzymes in fish

As part of our investigation of the metabolism of brevetoxin (PbTx) in fish, we initiated a two-part study to determine the toxin's tissue distribution and its ability to induce xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. In the first study, gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta) were administered 14C-PbTx-3 orally in a fishmeal slurry and sacrificed 72 hr later. Radioactivity was greatest in the hepatobiliary system (40% of body burden), representing the key role this system plays in the detoxification and elimination of brevetoxin. Muscle tissue contained 27%, followed by gastrointestinal tract (25%). To investigate the effects of PbTx on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, immature redfish (Scianops ocellatus) were given two doses of brevetoxin (1.5 or 2.5 micrograms/100 g body weight) or cod liver oil in a fishmeal slurry by gavage. The activities of two hepatic P450 enzymes, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD), as well as the cytosolic enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST), were measured. At the higher dose, PbTx significantly increased EROD activity. These results suggest that brevetoxin is capable of inducing an important xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme (EROD).

Anorectic responses to dietary amino acid imbalance: effects of vagotomy and tropisetron

We investigated the roles of the vagus nerve and the serotonin3 (5-HT3) receptor in mediating the food intake depression associated with amino acid deficiency. The food intake of sham-operated (sham) rats given an isoleucine-imbalanced (IMB) diet was reduced to < 40% of control basal (BAS) diet intake (P = 0.0009), and pretreatment with the 5-HT3 antagonist tropisetron (Trop) increased IMB intake by twofold over the vehicle (VEH)-treated group (P < or = 0.0001), as we have reported before. However, after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (VAGX), IMB intake was increased to a level intermediate between the sham-VEH and sham-Trop groups, while administration of Trop did not increase IMB intake over VAGX alone. By the end of day 1, the VAGX-Trop group had eaten only 1 g more of IMB than the VAGX-VEH group (NS). We conclude that 1) the vagus is among the physiological systems involved in the anorectic responses to IMB and 2) intact vagal function is necessary for the full effect of 5-HT3 antagonists in alleviating the anorectic responses to IMB.

Effects of estrogen on gluconeogenesis and related parameters in male rainbow trout

To investigate the effects of estrogen, the hormone responsible for vitellogenesis, on gluconeogenesis, male rainbow trout were implanted with 17 beta-estradiol or given a sham procedure. Plasma glucose concentration in estrogenized fish was 50% of the control fish (6.4 mM). Glucose synthesis from physiological concentrations of alanine was 0.08 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 compared with 0.20 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 in control fish; synthesis from physiological concentrations of lactate was reduced by over 50% (0.88 vs. 0.36 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1) in implanted fish. Gluconeogenesis from 5 mM lactate was also significantly depressed in implanted fish. Oxidation of alanine, serine, and lactate was not significantly affected by estrogen implantation. The maximum clearance velocity of a key enzyme negatively regulating gluconeogenesis, pyruvate kinase, was 3.03 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 in estrogen (E2) implanted fish compared with 7.83 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 in control fish. No significant differences in plasma insulin or glucagon were found in the two groups. We conclude that estrogen depresses gluconeogenesis and that this reduction contributes to the lower plasma glucose concentration seen in vitellogenic trout.

Effects of estrogen on whole animal and tissue glucose use in female and male rainbow trout

Reports of changes in carbohydrate metabolism during vitellogenesis in fish prompted an investigation of the effects of estrogen on glucose utilization in rainbow trout. Estrogen pellets were implanted in both female and male fish, and a third group of male fish was given a sham operation. After cannulation of the dorsal aorta, D-[1-3H]glucose and 2-deoxy-D-[U-14C]glucose were injected into the fish to observe whole animal and tissue glucose use. We found that estrogen does not affect glucose turnover rate or transit time but causes a decrease in plasma glucose concentration and size of the glucose mixing pool. Adipose tissue in female fish utilized glucose at a higher rate than sham fish. Ovarian tissue used more glucose per kilogram of body weight than the testes of the male fish. Regardless of treatment, brain had the highest rate of glucose consumption per gram of tissue, followed by gonads and red blood cells. Muscle and adipose tissue utilized only small amounts (< 1 nmol.g tissue-1.min-1) of glucose. We conclude that an increase in the rate of whole body glucose use is not responsible for the fall in plasma glucose caused by estrogen and seen during vitellogenesis.