Bioactivation of dibrominated biphenyls by cytochrome P450 activity to metabolites with estrogenic activity and estrogen sulfotransferase inhibition capacity.

Exposure of humans and wildlife to xenobiotics, such as halogenated biphenyls, that interfere with the endogenous estrogen balance may lead to endocrine disruption. Such compounds may either mimic or block estradiol's action by agonistic or antagonistic action, respectively. They may also affect endogenous estradiol concentrations by induction or inhibition of enzymes that metabolize estradiol. In the present study, we demonstrate that estrogenic metabolites of two brominated biphenyls, 2,2'-dibromobiphenyl (2,2'-DBB) and 4,4'-dibromobiphenyl (4,4'-DBB), are formed by rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity. Bioactivation of 2,2'-DBB and 4,4'-DBB yielded various mono- and dihydroxylated bromobiphenyl metabolites, which were collected by preparative HPLC and analyzed by LC/MS. Several of the metabolites bound to the estrogen receptor (ER) activated the ER and inhibited human estrogen sulfotransferase (hEST). Seven monohydroxylated metabolites were positively identified using synthetic monohydroxylated reference compounds. These synthetic monohydroxylated bromobiphenyls also bound to and activated the ER and inhibited hEST. The highest ER affinity was observed for 4-OH-2,2'-DBB, with an EC50 of 6.6 nM. The highest ER activation was observed for 4-OH-3,4'-DBB (EC50 of 74 nM) while 4-OH-4'-MBB and 4-OH-2,2'-DBB induced a supramaximal (as compared to estradiol) ER activation. The strongest hEST inhibition was found with 4-OH-3,4'-DBB (EC50 = 40 nM). In conclusion, we show that two dibrominated biphenyls are bioactivated by CYP activity into very potent estrogenic metabolites and inhibitors of hEST. These findings are of vital importance for accurate risk assessment of exposure to environmental contaminants, such as halogenated biphenyls. Neglecting bioactivation through biotransformation will lead to underestimation of health risks of this class of xenobiotics.

Tissue distribution of cytosolic beta-elimination reactions of selenocysteine Se-conjugates in rat and human.

Selenocysteine Se-conjugates (e.g. methylselenocysteine) have been shown to be potent chemopreventive and chemoprotective agents, and inducers of apoptosis. Although the mechanism of action remains to be elucidated, beta-elimination of these compounds by beta-lyase enzymes into corresponding selenols, pyruvate and ammonia is thought to be critical. This study describes in vitro beta-lyase activity in nine rat organs using three selenocysteine Se-conjugates and S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)-L-cysteine. For all substrates the highest beta-elimination rates were found in kidney, followed by liver, while brain, spleen, heart, large and small intestine, thyroid and lung were of minor importance. Since liver plays an important role in beta-elimination, hepatic beta-lyase activity was extensively studied using 23 selenocysteine Se-conjugates and S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)-L-cysteine and was compared with previously obtained renal beta-lyase data. The results showed that hepatic beta-lyase activities were 4-25-fold lower than the corresponding renal beta-lyase activities. Hepatic beta-elimination of the substrates appeared to be exclusively catalyzed by the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent beta-lyase enzyme kynureninase. Studies performed with human hepatic cytosols of three individuals showed that hepatic beta-lyase activity was 2-5-fold higher when compared with the previously obtained human renal activity. Significant correlation was obtained between human hepatic beta-lyase activities of three individuals. The relevance of this data for using SeCys-conjugates as chemopreventive and a chemoprotective agent is discussed. Based on the large differences in organ-selective beta-elimination and specific beta-lyase activity between rat and humans, the rat might not be a good model to investigate nephrotoxicity of cysteine S-conjugates, and chemoprevention and chemoprotection of SeCys-conjugates in man.