Pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor modulate differently CYP3A-mediated metabolism in earlyand late-stage cholestasis

AIM: To ascertain whether cholestasis affects the expression of two CYP3A isoforms (CYP3A1 and CYP3A2) and of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). METHODS: Cholestasis was induced by bile duct ligation in 16 male Wistar rats; whereas 8 sham-operated rats were used as controls. Severity of cholestasis was assessed on histological examination of liver sections, and serum concentrations of albumin, AST, ALT, GGT, ALPK and bilirubin. Gene and protein expressions of PXR, CAR, CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 were assessed by means of qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Alterations in CYP3A activity were measured by calculating the kinetic parameters of 4-OH and 1'-OH-midazolam hydroxylation, marker reactions for CYP3A enzymes. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of CYP3A1 increased significantly in mild cholestasis (P < 0.01). At variance, mRNA and protein expression of CYP3A2 didn't change in mild cholestasis, whereas the expression and activity of both CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 decreased dramatically when cholestasis became severe. Consistently with these observations, the nuclear expression of both PXR and CAR, which was measured because they both translocate into the cell nucleus after their activation, virtually disappeared in the late stage of cholestatic injury, after an initial increase. These results indicate that early- and late-stage cholestasis affects CYP3A-mediated drug metabolism differently, probably as consequence of the different activation of PXR and CAR. CONCLUSION: Early- and late-stage cholestasis affects CYP3A-mediated drug metabolism differently. PXR and CAR might be targeted therapeutically to promote CYP3A-mediated liver detoxification

Characterization of porcine hepatic and intestinal drug metabolizing CYP450 : comparison with human orthologues from a quantitative, activity and selectivity perspective

Over the past two decades, the pig has gained attention as a potential model for human drug metabolism. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450), a superfamily of biotransformation enzymes, are pivotal in drug metabolism. Porcine CYP450 has been demonstrated to convert typical substrates of human CYP450. Nevertheless, knowledge and insight into porcine CYP450 quantity and substrate selectivity is scant, especially regarding intestinal CYP450. The current study aimed to map the quantities of hepatic and intestinal CYP450 in the conventional pig by using a proteomic approach. Moreover, the selectivity of the six most common used probe substrates (phenacetin, coumarin, midazolam, tolbutamide, dextromethorphan, and chlorzoxazone) for drug metabolizing enzyme subfamilies (CYP1A, CYP2A, CYP3A, CYP2C, CYP2D and CYP2E respectively), was investigated. Hepatic relative quantities were 4% (CYP1A), 31% (CYP2A), 14% (CYP3A), 10% (CYP2C), 28% (CYP2D) and 13% (CYP2E), whereas for the intestine only duodenal CYP450 could be determined with 88% for CYP3A and 12% for CYP2C. Furthermore, the results indicate that coumarin (CYP2A), midazolam (CYP3A), tolbutamide (CYP2C), and dextromethorphan (CYP2D) are as selective for porcine as for human CYP450. However, phenacetin (CYP1A2) and chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1) are less selective for the specific enzyme, despite similarities in selectivity towards the different enzymes involved compared to humans

Do Flame Retardants Promote Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency in the Unites States has become more prevalent in recent years. Research has shown that environmental chemicals such as flame-retardants induce hepatic enzymes in the cytochrome P450 family such as CYP24 and CYP3A that are important in vitamin D metabolism. To determine if exposure to one class of flame-retardants known as polybrominated diethyl ethers (PBDEs) promotes vitamin D deficiency, 15 rats consumed a diet marginally deficient in Vitamin D - 85 IU Vitamin D/kg diet - for 56 days. On day 28 of the experiment, 7 rats were gavaged daily with 7 mg/kg BW PBDEs and 8 rats were gavaged daily with corn oil, for 28 days. Body weight and food intake were measured three times a week, vitamin D status markers in the urine were measured at weeks 4 and 8 and blood Vitamin D metabolites along with liver weight were measured at euthanization. Liver microsomal vitamin D metabolism, composition and CYP3A enzyme activity were also measured. The final body weight tended to be lower in the treatment animals than in the control but was not significantly different (370.29±40.12 vs. 400.63±31.99, respectively, p = 0.0636). Liver from PBDE-treated rats was significantly heavier than liver from control rats (15.67±1.99 vs. 12.71±0.98, respectively) p \u3c 0.05. Liver as a percent of body weight was also significantly greater in treatment (4.24±0.2) compared to control (3.18±0.13). There was no significant difference in the lipid composition of the liver or urine metabolites between PBDE-treated and control rats. The inactive metabolites 24, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 and 4β, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 did not show significant difference between control and treatment groups. The active form of 1, 25-vitamin D3 tended to be lower in the PBDE-treated rats than in the control (0.071±0.027 vs. 0.082±0.018, respectively, p = 0.187). When expressed as a ratio to 25(OH)D3, 4β, 25-dihydroxyD3 was significantly lower in treatment rats compared to control (0.96±0.18 vs. 1.28±0.38, respectively) and 1, 25-dihydroxyD3 tended to be lower in treatment compared to control (3.62±0.96 vs. 4.44±0.97, p = 0.068). Enzymatic CYP3A levels were significantly higher in PDBE-treated rats than in control (6.047±1.53 vs. 0.103±0.032 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively). The hypothesis that the induction of CYP3A by PBDEs may accelerate vitamin D inactivation, leading to vitamin D deficiency was not supported by the findings, as there was no significant change in serum vitamin D levels in the PBDE-treated rats

Cytochrome P450 endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD): therapeutic and pathophysiological implications.

The hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-anchored cytochromes P450 (P450s) are mixed-function oxidases engaged in the biotransformation of physiologically relevant endobiotics as well as of myriad xenobiotics of therapeutic and environmental relevance. P450 ER-content and hence function is regulated by their coordinated hemoprotein syntheses and proteolytic turnover. Such P450 proteolytic turnover occurs through a process known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD) that involves ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation (UPD) and/or autophagic-lysosomal degradation (ALD). Herein, on the basis of available literature reports and our own recent findings of in vitro as well as in vivo experimental studies, we discuss the therapeutic and pathophysiological implications of altered P450 ERAD and its plausible clinical relevance. We specifically (i) describe the P450 ERAD-machinery and how it may be repurposed for the generation of antigenic P450 peptides involved in P450 autoantibody pathogenesis in drug-induced acute hypersensitivity reactions and liver injury, or viral hepatitis; (ii) discuss the relevance of accelerated or disrupted P450-ERAD to the pharmacological and/or toxicological effects of clinically relevant P450 drug substrates; and (iii) detail the pathophysiological consequences of disrupted P450 ERAD, contributing to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) under certain synergistic cellular conditions

Administration of Vitamin D Metabolites Affects RNA Expression of Xenobiotic Metabolising Enzymes and Function of ABC Transporters in Rats

From studies on different species and in cell culture systems, it has been suggested that vitamin D metabolites might affect themetabolism and elimination of xenobiotics. Although most studies performed on rodents and cell cultures report an upregulationof respective enzymes and transporters, data from the literature are inconsistent. Especially results obtained with sheep differ fromthese observations. As vitamin D metabolites are widely used as feed additives or therapeutics in livestock animals, we aimed toassess whether these differences indicate species-specific responses or occurred due to the very high dosages used in the rodentstudies. -erefore, we applied treatment protocols to rats that had been used previously in sheep or cattle. Forty-eight female ratswere divided into three treatment and corresponding placebo groups: (1) a single intraperitoneal injection of 1,25-(OH)2D3 orplacebo 12 h before sacrifice; (2) daily supplementation with 25-OHD3 by oral gavage or placebo for 10 days; and (3) a singleintramuscular injection of vitamin D3 10 days before sacrifice. In contrast to a previous study using sheep, treatment of rats with1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 did not result in an upregulation of cytochrome P450 3A isoenzymes (CYP3A), but a decrease wasfound in hepatic and intestinal expressions. In addition, a downregulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistanceprotein was found in the brain. Taken together, the stimulating effects of vitamin D metabolites on the expression of genesinvolved in the metabolism and elimination of xenobiotics reported previously for rodents and sheep could not be reproduced. Incontrast, we even observed a negative impact on the expression of CYP3A enzymes and their most important regulator, thepregnane X receptor. Most interestingly, we could demonstrate an effect of treatment with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin D3on the functional activity of ileal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) using the Ussing chamber technique.Fil: Klumpp, Karoline. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology; AlemaniaFil: Lange, Frauke. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology; AlemaniaFil: Muscher-Banse, Alexandra S.. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology; AlemaniaFil: Schnepel, Nadine. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology; AlemaniaFil: Hansen, Kathrin. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology; AlemaniaFil: Lifschitz, Adrian Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Maté, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Wilkens, Mirja. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology; Alemani

Xenobiotic metabolism: the effect of acute kidney injury on non-renal drug clearance and hepatic drug metabolism.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of critical illness, and evidence is emerging that suggests AKI disrupts the function of other organs. It is a recognized phenomenon that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have reduced hepatic metabolism of drugs, via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme group, and drug dosing guidelines in AKI are often extrapolated from data obtained from patients with CKD. This approach, however, is flawed because several confounding factors exist in AKI. The data from animal studies investigating the effects of AKI on CYP activity are conflicting, although the results of the majority do suggest that AKI impairs hepatic CYP activity. More recently, human study data have also demonstrated decreased CYP activity associated with AKI, in particular the CYP3A subtypes. Furthermore, preliminary data suggest that patients expressing the functional allele variant CYP3A5*1 may be protected from the deleterious effects of AKI when compared with patients homozygous for the variant CYP3A5*3, which codes for a non-functional protein. In conclusion, there is a need to individualize drug prescribing, particularly for the more sick and vulnerable patients, but this needs to be explored in greater depth

Enhanced Characterization of Drug Metabolism and the Influence of the Intestinal Microbiome: A Pharmacokinetic, Microbiome, and Untargeted Metabolomics Study.

Determining factors that contribute to interindividual and intra-individual variability in pharmacokinetics (PKs) and drug metabolism is essential for the optimal use of drugs in humans. Intestinal microbes are important contributors to variability; however, such gut microbe-drug interactions and the clinical significance of these interactions are still being elucidated. Traditional PKs can be complemented by untargeted mass spectrometry coupled with molecular networking to study the intricacies of drug metabolism. To show the utility of molecular networking on metabolism we investigated the impact of a 7-day course of cefprozil on cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity using a modified Cooperstown cocktail and assessed plasma, urine, and fecal data by targeted and untargeted metabolomics and molecular networking in healthy volunteers. This prospective study revealed that cefprozil decreased the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP3A, decreased alpha diversity and increased interindividual microbiome variability. We further demonstrate a relationship between the loss of microbiome alpha diversity caused by cefprozil and increased drug and metabolite formation in fecal samples. Untargeted metabolomics/molecular networking revealed several omeprazole metabolites that we hypothesize may be metabolized by both CYP2C19 and bacteria from the gut microbiome. Our observations are consistent with the hypothesis that factors that perturb the gut microbiome, such as antibiotics, alter drug metabolism and ultimately drug efficacy and toxicity but that these effects are most strongly revealed on a per individual basis

Phenotypic and functional analyses show stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells better mimic fetal rather than adult hepatocytes

Background & Aims: Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), differentiated from pluripotent stem cells by the use of soluble factors, can model human liver function and toxicity. However, at present HLC maturity and whether any deficit represents a true fetal state or aberrant differentiation is unclear and compounded by comparison to potentially deteriorated adult hepatocytes. Therefore, we generated HLCs from multiple lineages, using two different protocols, for direct comparison with fresh fetal and adult hepatocytes. Methods: Protocols were developed for robust differentiation. Multiple transcript, protein and functional analyses compared HLCs to fresh human fetal and adult hepatocytes. Results: HLCs were comparable to those of other laboratories by multiple parameters. Transcriptional changes during differentiation mimicked human embryogenesis and showed more similarity to pericentral than periportal hepatocytes. Unbiased proteomics demonstrated greater proximity to liver than 30 other human organs or tissues. However, by comparison to fresh material, HLC maturity was proven by transcript, protein and function to be fetal-like and short of the adult phenotype. The expression of 81% phase 1 enzymes in HLCs was significantly upregulated and half were statistically not different from fetal hepatocytes. HLCs secreted albumin and metabolized testosterone (CYP3A) and dextrorphan (CYP2D6) like fetal hepatocytes. In seven bespoke tests, devised by principal components analysis to distinguish fetal from adult hepatocytes, HLCs from two different source laboratories consistently demonstrated fetal characteristics. Conclusions: HLCs from different sources are broadly comparable with unbiased proteomic evidence for faithful differentiation down the liver lineage. This current phenotype mimics human fetal rather than adult hepatocytes