Stimulation of microsomal spironolactone metabolism by reduced glutathione.

The first step in the conversion of spironolactone (SP) to its biologically active metabolites is deacetylation to 7 alpha-thiospirolactone (7 alpha-thio-SL). Studies were done to evaluate the effects of reduced glutathione (GSH) on SP deacetylation by adrenal microsomal preparations. In the absence of GSH, adrenal microsomes catalyzed the conversion of SP to 7 alpha-thio-SL at low rates. Addition of GSH to the incubation medium caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of SP deacetylation. At a concentration of 10 mM, GSH caused a 4- to 5-fold increase in the rate of 7 alpha-thio-SL production. The results suggest that GSH may have an important role in the overall disposition of SP, including the formation of active metabolites.

Metabolic changes in alveolar type II cells after exposure to hydrogen peroxide.

Since oxygen metabolites may play an important role in pulmonary oxidant injury, the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on energy metabolism in alveolar type II cells isolated from rats were studied. The major effect of H2O2 is a rapid and dramatic reduction in the steady-state level of cellular ATP; e.g., ATP levels are reduced by 77 +/- 3% after only 5 min of exposure to H2O2 (0.5 mM). Cellular oxygen consumption is affected in a similar manner, suggesting that ATP synthesis is impaired. Experiments with isolated lung mitochondria demonstrate that exposure to 0.5 mM H2O2 for 5 min inhibits the rate of mitochondrial ATP synthesis by 51 +/- 3%. The site of mitochondrial ATP synthesis inhibition by H2O2 appears to be the adenosinetriphosphatase-synthase enzyme complex which phosphorylates ADP to ATP. Mitochondrial electron transport is unaffected. The association of 3-O-methylglucose with type II cells and glycolytic metabolism, measured as lactate production, are reduced by 25-35% by H2O2. The data also show that the cells are capable of recovery following exposure to H2O2, at least at lower exposure levels. These results indicate that exposure of type II cells to H2O2 alters the energy state of the cells by decreasing ATP synthesis. In turn, other important cellular functions may be impaired.

Reaction of glutathione with a free radical metabolite of carbon tetrachloride.

Carbon tetrachloride and bromotrichloromethane are both metabolized by cytochrome P-450 in the presence of phenyl-N-t-butyl nitrone PBN) to the PBN/trichloromethyl (PBN/.CCl3) and the PBN carbon dioxide anion (PBN/.CO2-) radical adducts in the liver. The formation of the latter but not the former species in perfused liver was reduced markedly by prior depletion of hepatic glutathione with either diethyl maleate or buthionine sulfoximine treatments. In microsomal incubations, the PBN/.CO2- radical adduct was detected only upon the addition of cytosol. In microsomal incubations containing PBN, CCl4, and GSH, but no added cytosol, a novel radical adduct with distinctive coupling constants was detected. This radical adduct's ESR spectrum exhibited 13C isotope effects when it was formed in an incubation containing 13CCl4 or Br13CCl3. The presence of GSH in the radical adduct is postulated based on the radical adduct's hydrophilicity and slow rate of rotation in solution. The detection of this new radical adduct, PBN/[GSH-.CCl3], establishes the reaction of GSH with a CCl4-derived free radical as a significant event in the metabolism of CBrCl3 and CCl4. The cytosolic conversion of PBN/[GSH-.CCl3] into PBN/.CO2- has been demonstrated and characterizes the PBN/.CO2- radical adduct as the product of metabolism of PBN/[GSH-.CCl3], a primary radical adduct. Thus, it is concluded that GSH rather than oxygen is obligatory for the formation of PBN/.CO2- from .CCl3 in intact cells.

Inhibition of adrenocortical, mitochondrial and microsomal monooxygenases by SU-10'603, a steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase inhibitor.

SU-10'603 is a pyridine derivative that is widely used as a steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase inhibitor. Studies were done to evaluate its effects in vitro on several other monooxygenases in guinea pig adrenal mitochondrial and microsomal preparations. In adrenal mitochondria, SU-10'603 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of 11 beta-hydroxylation; 50% inhibition was obtained at a concentration of approximately 0.5 mM. Its potency was similar to that of the 11 beta-hydroxylase inhibitor, metyrapone. SU-10'603 was a more potent inhibitor of cholesterol sidechain cleavage (CSC) than of 11 beta-hydroxylation; a 50% decline in CSC activity was produced by an inhibitor concentration of approximately 0.1 mM. In adrenal microsomal preparations, SU-10'603 had no effect on the rate of 21-hydroxylation of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. However, SU-10'603 was a potent inhibitor of adrenal microsomal xenobiotic metabolizing monooxygenases (benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, benzphetamine demethylase), effecting approximately 50% inhibition of both reactions at a concentration of 0.05 mM. The results indicate that SU-10'603 inhibits several monooxygenases in the guinea pig adrenal cortex and is thus not specific for 17 alpha-hydroxylation.

Carbon tetrachloride inhibits synthesis of pulmonary surfactant disaturated phosphatidylcholines and ATP production in alveolar type II cells.

Other studies have shown that inhalation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) decreases the amount of pulmonary surfactant lining the alveolar surface. Therefore, we studied the effects of CCl4 on the synthesis of surfactant phosphatidylcholines (PCs) in rat alveolar type II cells in vitro. The rate of incorporation of choline, palmitate or glycerol into disaturated PC (DSPC) is decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The CCl4 concentrations which cause maximal inhibition and 50% inhibition are similar for each substrate. The rate of incorporation of choline or glycerol into total PC is diminished to the same extent as their incorporation into DSPC. In addition, the rate of incorporation of glycerol into phosphatidylglycerol is decreased by the same extent as its incorporation into PC. All of these data suggest that there is a common site(s) at which CCl4 inhibits PC synthesis and that the inhibition occurs early in the biosynthetic pathway. However, individual enzymes involved in phospholipid synthesis do not seem to be affected by the solvent. Exposure of alveolar type II cells to CCl4 does cause a rapid and dramatic loss in cellular ATP, a cofactor required by some enzymes involved in PC synthesis. Studies with isolated lung mitochondria suggest that CCl4 inhibits the enzyme complex which catalyzes the synthesis of ATP from ADP. In addition, CCl4 causes a decrease in the amount of 3-O-methylglucose associated with type II cells, suggesting that glucose influx is impaired. This may also contribute to lower cellular ATP levels. The results of this study suggest that inhalation of CCl4 may impair surfactant phospholipid synthesis by decreasing ATP levels in alveolar type II cells.

Changes in adrenocortical monooxygenase activities in alloxan-diabetic rabbits.

Studies were carried out to determine if diabetes mellitus influenced the activities of adrenal steroidogenic enzymes. Adult male rabbits were made diabetic by an i.v. infusion of alloxan (100 mg/kg) and were killed 1 or 2 months later. Mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 concentrations were not affected by diabetes but steroid 11 beta-hydroxylase activity was greater in the diabetics than in controls after both 1 and 2 months. The type I spectral change produced by 11-deoxycorticosterone, the substrate for 11 beta-hydroxylation, was also greater in mitochondria from diabetics. By contrast, mitochondrial cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity was similar in controls and diabetics. Microsomal cytochrome P-450 concentrations were unaffected by diabetes but 21-hydroxylase activity was significantly lower in adrenal microsomes from diabetics than from controls. The results indicate that alloxan-induced diabetes alters adrenocortical steroid metabolism which may contribute to changes in the pattern of steroid secretion noted by other investigators.

Inhibition of hepatic microsomal drug metabolism by the steroid hydroxylase inhibitor SU-10'603.

SU-10'603 is a pyridine derivative that has been widely used as a steroid 17-hydroxylase inhibitor. Studies were done to compare the effects of SU-10'603 with those of the structurally related compound, metyrapone, on hepatic microsomal drug metabolism in vitro in rats and guinea pigs. In rat liver microsomes, SU-10'603 produced a concentration-dependent (0.01 to 1.0 mM) inhibition of ethylmorphine demethylation, aniline hydroxylation, and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation. A concentration of 0.1 to 0.2 mM decreased the metabolism of all three substrates by approximately 50%. SU-10'603 was a more potent inhibitor of ethylmorphine metabolism than metyrapone, and its relative potency was even greater with respect to aniline and benzo[a]pyrene metabolism. Similar results were obtained with guinea pig liver microsomes. SU-10'603 and metyrapone produced type II spectral changes in hepatic microsomes, but the apparent affinity of SU-10'603 for cytochrome(s) P-450 was greater than that of metyrapone. Both compounds inhibited the binding of type I substrates to microsomal cytochromes P-450; SU-10'603 was the more potent inhibitor. The results indicate that SU-10'603 is a potent inhibitor of hepatic microsomal monooxygenases whose mechanism of action is similar to that of metyrapone.

The carbon dioxide anion radical adduct in the perfused rat liver: relationship to halocarbon-induced toxicity.

CCl4 has been shown previously to be metabolized to the trichloromethyl radical (.CCl3) and to a novel oxygen-containing carbon dioxide anion radical (.CO2-) in the perfused rat liver and in vivo. Since the role of free radicals in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity is unclear, these studies were designed to determine if a relationship between .CO2- formation and halocarbon-induced hepatotoxicity exists. CCl4 or bromotrichloromethane (CBrCl3) was infused into livers from control or phenobarbital-treated rats perfused with either nitrogen- or oxygen-saturated Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. Samples of effluent perfusate and chloroform/methanol extracts of liver were analyzed by ESR spectroscopy for free radical adducts following infusion of halocarbon and the spin trap, phenyl-t-butylnitrone (PBN). Hyperfine coupling constants and 13C-isotope effects observed in the ESR spectra of organic extracts of liver demonstrated the presence of the PBN radical adduct of .CCl3 from both halocarbons. Radical adducts in aqueous extracts of liver and effluent perfusate had hyperfine coupling constants and 13C-isotope effects identical to those of PBN/.CO2- generated chemically from formate. The PBN/.CO2- radical adduct was also observed in urine following the intragastric administration of CBrCl3 and PBN. Detection of PBN/.CO2- adducts in the effluent perfusate was decreased 3- to 4-fold by DIDS (0.2 mM), an inhibitor of the plasma membrane anion transport system. The rate of formation of PBN/.CO2- was decreased 2- to 3-fold following inhibition of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases by metyrapone (0.5 mM) and was increased about 2-fold by induction of cytochrome P-450 by phenobarbital pretreatment. Toxicity of halocarbons in the perfused liver was assessed by measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the effluent perfusate in livers from phenobarbital-treated rats under conditions identical to those employed to detect radical adducts (i.e., during the infusion of CCl4 or CBrCl3 into livers perfused with either nitrogen- or oxygen-saturated perfusate). Under all conditions studied, PBN/.CO2- was detected in the effluent perfusate within 2-4 min. Metabolism of halocarbons to PBN/.CO2- was 6- to 8-fold faster during perfusion with nitrogen-saturated rather than with oxygen-saturated perfusate. Concomitantly, liver damage detected from LDH release occurred much sooner during halocarbon infusion in the presence of nitrogen-saturated rather than oxygen-saturated perfusate. A good correlation between the rate of formation of PBN/.CO2- and the time of onset of LDH release following halocarbon infusion was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Conversion of spironolactone to 7 alpha-thiomethylspironolactone by hepatic and renal microsomes.

Recent observations indicate that 7 alpha-thiomethylspironolactone is an important circulating metabolite of the mineralocorticoid antagonist spironolactone (SL). Studies were carried out to determine possible sites and pathways of 7 alpha-thiomethyl-SL formation and, in particular, to evaluate SL metabolism by guinea pig hepatic and renal microsomal preparations. In the absence of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), liver and kidney microsomes rapidly converted SL to 7 alpha-thio-SL as the only metabolite. The rate of 7 alpha-thio-SL production was greater in liver than kidney. In the presence of SAM, 7 alpha-thio-SL was further converted to 7 alpha-thiomethyl-SL by liver and kidney microsomes. The rates of methylation with 7 alpha-thio-SL as substrate were three to four times greater for liver than for kidney, but the Km values were similar (approximately 30 microM) in the two issues. Maximal enzyme activity was obtained with SAM concentrations of 25-200 microM. NADPH had no effect on SL or 7 alpha-thio-SL metabolism by liver or kidney microsomes. To determine if a pathway involving the C-S lyase enzyme might contribute to circulating 7 alpha-thiomethyl-SL levels in vivo, guinea pigs were treated with SL or its dethioacetylated derivative, canrenone, and plasma metabolites were analyzed by HPLC. Both 7 alpha-thiomethyl-SL and canrenone were found to be circulating metabolites in SL-treated animals, but only canrenone was identified in the plasma of canrenone-treated guinea pigs. The results indicate that the liver and kidney are potential sites of 7 alpha-thiomethyl-SL production and that its formation probably does not involve the C-S lyase pathway.

Metabolic activation of hydralazine by rat liver microsomes.

There is evidence to suggest that the oxidative metabolism of hydralazine (HP), an antihypertensive drug, may represent a toxic pathway which could account for some of the adverse effects of the drug. Experiments were done to determine whether the hepatic oxidative metabolism of HP is associated with the formation of reactive metabolites. In the presence of NADPH, HP was metabolized by rat liver microsomes to three major oxidation products, phthalazine, phthalazinone (PZ), and a dimer compound. Under similar incubation conditions, radioactivity derived from [14C]HP was covalently bound to microsomal protein. Metabolite formation and covalent binding increased following pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital. In contrast, pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene or with the monooxygenase inhibitor, piperonyl butoxide, slightly decreased both metabolite formation and covalent binding. Electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses indicated that nitrogen-centered radicals were formed when rat liver microsomes were incubated with HP under conditions similar to those required for covalent binding and for the production of the oxidative metabolites. In addition, reduced glutathione (GSH) caused concentration-dependent decreases in the production of phthalazine, PZ, and the dimer, in the covalent binding of HP to microsomal protein, and in the formation of nitrogen-centered radicals. The results of these investigations indicate that the oxidative metabolism of HP by rat liver microsomes is highly correlated with the formation of nitrogen-centered radicals and the production of metabolites that become covalently bound to microsomal protein. These observations support the hypothesis that the oxidation of HP generates reactive metabolites which may contribute to the toxicity of the drug.

The oxidative metabolism of hydralazine by rat liver microsomes.

Previous observations have demonstrated a relationship between the toxicity of the antihypertensive drug, hydralazine (HP), and acetylator phenotype, suggesting a role for metabolism in the adverse effects of HP. Experiments were done to characterize the metabolism of HP by rat liver microsomes using a newly developed HPLC assay. HP was metabolized by rat liver microsomes to products identified by HPLC and mass spectroscopy as s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine (TP), 3-methyl-s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine (MTP), phthalazine (P), and phthalazinone (PZ). An unknown metabolite was also formed. P, PZ, and the unknown metabolite were established as oxidation products of HP using the model oxidative systems, metal-catalyzed autooxidation and horseradish peroxidase. The results of incubations with [14C]HP indicated that P and the unknown metabolite were quantitatively the major metabolites and were produced in similar quantities by rat liver microsomes. The structure of the unknown metabolite based on mass spectral analyses is proposed to be a dimerization product consisting of P and 1-aminophthalazine. Production of all the microsomal metabolites, except TP, required NADPH and decreased when incubations were done with heat-treated microsomes or under an atmosphere of nitrogen or carbon monoxide. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital increased the rate of formation of all the metabolites except TP. In contrast, pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene or Arochlor 1254 had no effect on P, PZ, TP, or MTP formation and decreased formation of the dimer. Pretreatment with piperonyl butoxide had no effect on the formation of P, PZ, TP, or MTP but decreased formation of the dimer by approximately 50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Separation and quantitation of hydralazine metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A selective high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the separation and quantitation of the proposed hepatic microsomal metabolites of hydralazine (HP), phthalazine, phthalazinone, s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine, 3-methyl-s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine and 3-hydroxymethyl-s-triazolo [3,4-a]phthalazine, is described. An extraction technique was developed for the removal of HP from hepatic microsomal samples in order to minimize the measurement of products resulting from the chemical degradation of HP. The effects of pH and composition of the mobile phase on the retention times and resolution of the five compounds were examined. The methods presented are accurate and reliable, permitting the baseline separation of five HP metabolites with reasonable analysis time and sensitivity.

Metabolism of spironolactone by adrenocortical and hepatic microsomes: relationship to cytochrome P-450 destruction.

Previous investigations have established that spironolactone (SL) is converted to a reactive metabolite by adrenocortical NADPH-dependent enzymes, resulting in the destruction of microsomal cytochrome(s) P-450 and decreases in steroid hydroxylase activities. Hepatic microsomes, by contrast, do not activate SL. Studies were done to characterize the activation pathway by comparing adrenal with hepatic metabolism of SL in guinea pigs. In the absence of NADPH, both adrenal and hepatic microsomal preparations converted SL to its deacetylated metabolite, 7 alpha-thio-SL. NADPH had no effect on hepatic SL metabolism but stimulated adrenal metabolism of SL. In the presence of NADPH, very little 7 alpha-thio-SL was recovered from the adrenal incubations, suggesting that the 7 alpha-thio-SL was further metabolized by NADPH-dependent enzymes. The latter hypothesis was confirmed by incubating microsomal preparations with 7 alpha-thio-SL as the substrate. In the presence of NADPH, 7 alpha-thio-SL was rapidly metabolized by adrenal microsomes but was not metabolized by hepatic preparations. Under the same incubation conditions, 7 alpha-thio-SL promoted the destruction of adrenal cytochrome(s) P-450 but had no effect on hepatic monooxygenases. 7 alpha-Thio-SL was far more potent than SL in promoting the destruction of cytochrome(s) P-450, suggesting that the metabolite might be an intermediate in the actions of the parent compound. Indeed, inhibition of SL conversion to 7 alpha-thio-SL by the esterase inhibitor, diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate blocked the effects of SL on adrenal cytochrome(s) P-450. Diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate did not affect the actions of 7 alpha-thio-SL on cytochrome(s) P-450.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)