The Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8*3 Variant (rs11572080) is Associated with Improved Asthma Symptom Control in Children and Altered Lipid Mediator Production and Inflammatory Response in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

This study investigated an association between the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8*3 polymorphism with asthma symptom control in children and changes in lipid metabolism and pro-inflammatory signaling by human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) treated with cigarette smoke condensate (CSC). CYP genes are inherently variable in sequence and while such variations are known to produce clinically relevant effects on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the effects on endogenous substrate metabolism and associated physiological processes are less understood. In this study, CYP2C8*3 was associated with improved asthma symptom control among children: Mean asthma control scores were 3.68 [n=207] for patients with one or more copies of the CYP2C8*3 allele vs. 4.42 [n=965] for CYP2C8*1/*1 (p=0.0133). In vitro, CYP2C8*3 was associated with an increase in montelukast 36-hydroxylation and a decrease in linoleic acid (LA) metabolism despite lower mRNA and protein expression. Additionally, CYP2C8*3 was associated with reduced mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL-8) by HBECs in response to CSC, which was replicated using the soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, AUDA. Interestingly, 9(10)- and 12(13)-DiHOME, the hydrolyzed metabolites of 9(10)- and 12(13)-EpOME, increased the expression of IL-6 and CXCL-8 mRNA by HBECs. This study reveals previously undocumented effects of the CYP2C8*3 variant on the response of HBECs to exogenous stimuli. Significance Statement These findings suggest a role for CYP2C8 in regulating the EpOME:DiHOME ratio leading to a change in cellular inflammatory responses elicited by environmental stimuli that exacerbate asthma.

CYP1B1-derived epoxides modulate the TRPA1 channel in chronic pain.

Pain is often debilitating, and current treatments are neither universally efficacious nor without risks. Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels offer alternative targets for pain relief, but little is known about the regulation or identities of endogenous TRP ligands that affect inflammation and pain. Here, transcriptomic and targeted lipidomic analysis of damaged tissue from the mouse spinal nerve ligation (SNL)-induced chronic pain model revealed a time-dependent increase in Cyp1b1 mRNA and a concurrent accumulation of 8,9-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) and 19,20-EpDPA post injury. Production of 8,9-EET and 19,20-EpDPA by human/mouse CYP1B1 was confirmed in vitro, and 8,9-EET and 19,20-EpDPA selectively and dose-dependently sensitized and activated TRPA1 in overexpressing HEK-293 cells and Trpa1-expressing/AITC-responsive cultured mouse peptidergic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. TRPA1 activation by 8,9-EET and 19,20-EpDPA was attenuated by the antagonist A967079, and mouse TRPA1 was more responsive to 8,9-EET and 19,20-EpDPA than human TRPA1. This latter effect mapped to residues Y933, G939, and S921 of TRPA1. Intra-plantar injection of 19,20-EpDPA induced acute mechanical, but not thermal hypersensitivity in mice, which was also blocked by A967079. Similarly, Cyp1b1-knockout mice displayed a reduced chronic pain phenotype following SNL injury. These data suggest that manipulation of the CYP1B1-oxylipin-TRPA1 axis might have therapeutic benefit.

Dynamic Expression of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-3 and Integrated Signaling with Growth Factor Pathways during Lung Epithelial Wound Repair following Wood Smoke Particle and Other Forms of Lung Cell Injury.

Prior studies revealed increased expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid-3 (TRPV3) ion channel after wood smoke particulate matter (WSPM) treatment of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). TRPV3 attenuated pathologic endoplasmic reticulum stress and cytotoxicity mediated by transient receptor potential ankyrin-1. Here, the basis for how TRPV3 expression is regulated by cell injury and the effects this has on HBEC physiology and WSPM-induced airway remodeling in mice was investigated. TRPV3 mRNA was rapidly increased in HBECs treated with WSPM and after monolayer damage caused by tryptic disruption, scratch wounding, and cell passaging. TRPV3 mRNA abundance varied with time, and stimulated expression occurred independent of new protein synthesis. Overexpression of TRPV3 in HBECs reduced cell migration and wound repair while enhancing cell adhesion. This phenotype correlated with disrupted mRNA expression of ligands of the epidermal growth factor, tumor growth factor-ß, and frizzled receptors. Accordingly, delayed wound repair by TRPV3 overexpressing cells was reversed by growth factor supplementation. In normal HBECs, TRPV3 upregulation was triggered by exogenous growth factor supplementation and was attenuated by inhibitors of growth factor receptor signaling. In mice, subacute oropharyngeal instillation with WSPM also promoted TRPV3 mRNA expression and epithelial remodeling, which was attenuated by TRPV3 antagonist pre- and cotreatment. This latter effect may be the consequence of antagonist-induced TRPV3 expression. These findings provide insights into the roles of TRPV3 in lung epithelial cells under basal and dynamic states, as well as highlight potential roles for TRPV3 ligands in modulating epithelial damage/repair. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Coordinated epithelial repair is essential for the maintenance of the airways, with deficiencies and exaggerated repair associated with adverse consequences to respiratory health. This study shows that TRPV3, an ion channel, is involved in coordinating repair through integrated repair signaling pathways, wherein TRPV3 expression is upregulated immediately after injury and returns to basal levels as cells complete the repair process. TRPV3 may be a novel target for understanding and/or treating conditions in which airway/lung epithelial repair is not properly orchestrated.

Activation of Human Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin-8 (TRPM8) by Calcium-Rich Particulate Materials and Effects on Human Lung Cells.

To better understand how adverse health effects are caused by exposure to particulate materials, and to develop preventative measures, it is important to identify the properties of particles and molecular targets that link exposure with specific biologic outcomes. Coal fly ash (CFA) is a by-product of coal combustion that can affect human health. We report that human transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) and an N-terminally truncated TRPM8 variant (TRPM8-Δ801) are activated by CFA and calcium-rich nanoparticles and/or soluble salts within CFA. TRPM8 activation by CFA was potentiated by cold temperature involving the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate binding residue (L1008), but was independent of the icilin and menthol binding site residue Y745 and, essentially, the N-terminal amino acids 1-800. CFA, calcium nanoparticles, and calcium salts also activated transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) and transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1), but not TRPV4. CFA treatment induced CXCL1 and interleukin-8 mRNA in BEAS-2B and primary human bronchial epithelial cells through activation of both TRPM8 and TRPV1. However, neither mouse nor rat TRPM8 was activated by these materials, and Trpm8 knockout had no effect on cytokine induction in the lungs of CFA-instilled mice. Amino acids S921 and S927 in mouse Trpm8 were identified as important for the lack of response to CFA. These results imply that TRPM8, in conjunction with TRPV1 and TRPA1, might sense selected forms of inhaled particulate materials in human airways, shaping cellular responses to these materials, and improving our understanding of how and why certain particulate materials elicit different responses in biologic systems, affecting human health.

A Phase I Study of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With Nab-Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, and Cyclophosphamide in Patients With Stage II to III Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to assess the safety and tolerability of nanoparticle albumin bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel), doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide as combination therapy for breast cancer patients in the neoadjuvant setting and to assess the overall clinical response and pathologic complete response (pCR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six women with newly diagnosed stage II to III histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the breast with negative HER2 status were enrolled. Patients were treated with nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 on day 1 and nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 on day 8 in a 21-day cycle for 6 cycles total. RESULTS: Most adverse events attributed to treatment were decreased white blood cell count, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia with a median duration of 8 days. Fifteen of 23 (65.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 45.7%-84.6%) had a complete clinical response and 8 of 23 (34.7%; 95% CI, 15.2%-54.1%) had a partial clinical response for an overall clinical response rate of 100%. Thirteen of 23 patients (56.5%; 95% CI, 36.2%-76.7%) had a pCR. All 10 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients (100%) achieved a pCR. CONCLUSION: The regimen of nab-paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in high clinical as well as pathologic responses, particularly in TNBC.

Identification of Cyclic Depsipeptides and Their Dedicated Synthetase from Hapsidospora irregularis.

Seven cyclic depsipeptides were isolated from Hapsidospora irregularis and structurally characterized as the calcium channel blocker leualacin and six new analogues based on the NMR and HRESIMS data. These new compounds were named leualacins B-G. The absolute configurations of the amino acids and 2-hydroxyisocaproic acids were determined by recording the optical rotation values. Biological studies showed that calcium influx elicited by leualacin F in primary human lobar bronchial epithelial cells involves the TRPA1 channel. Through genome sequencing and targeted gene disruption, a noniterative nonribosomal peptide synthetase was found to be involved in the biosynthesis of leualacin. A comparison of the structures of leualacin and its analogues indicated that the A2 and A4 domains of the leualacin synthetase are substrate specific, while A1, A3, and A5 can accept alternative precursors to yield new molecules.

Window-of-Opportunity Study of Valproic Acid in Breast Cancer Testing a Gene Expression Biomarker.

PURPOSE: The anticancer activity of valproic acid (VPA) is attributed to the inhibition of histone deacetylase. We previously published the genomically derived sensitivity signature for VPA (GDSS-VPA), a gene expression biomarker that predicts breast cancer sensitivity to VPA in vitro and in vivo. We conducted a window-of-opportunity study that examined the tolerability of VPA and the ability of the GDSS-VPA to predict biologic changes in breast tumors after treatment with VPA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible women had untreated breast cancer with breast tumors larger than 1.5 cm. After a biopsy, women were given VPA for 7 to 12 days, increasing from 30 mg/kg/d orally divided into two doses per day to a maximum of 50 mg/kg/d. After VPA treatment, serum VPA level was measured and then breast surgery or biopsy was performed. Tumor proliferation was assessed by using Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Histone acetylation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assessed by Western blot. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed before and after VPA treatment. RESULTS: Thirty women were evaluable. The median age was 54 years (range, 31-73 years). Fifty-two percent of women tolerated VPA at 50 mg/kg/d, but 10% missed more than two doses as a result of adverse events. Grade 3 adverse events included vomiting and diarrhea (one patient) and fatigue (one patient). The end serum VPA level correlated with a change in histone acetylation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (ρ = 0.451; P = .024). Fifty percent of women (three of six) with triple-negative breast cancer had a Ki-67 reduction of at least 10% compared with 17% of other women. Women whose tumors had higher GDSS-VPA were more likely to have a Ki-67 decrease of at least 10% (area under the curve, 0.66). CONCLUSION: VPA was well tolerated and there was a significant correlation between serum VPA levels and histone acetylation. VPA treatment caused a decrease in proliferation of breast tumors. The genomic biomarker correlated with decreased proliferation. Inhibition of histone deacetylase is a valid strategy for drug development in triple-negative breast cancer using gene expression biomarkers.

Interactions of Papua New Guinea medicinal plant extracts with antiretroviral therapy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A substantial proportion of the population in Papua New Guinea (PNG) lives with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Treatment requires lifelong use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The majority of people in PNG use traditional medicines (TM) derived from plants for all types of health promotions. Consequently, there is a concern that herb-drug interactions may impact the efficacy of ART. Herb-drug, or drug-drug, interactions occur at the level of metabolism through two major mechanisms: enzyme induction or enzyme inhibition. In this study, extracts of commonly-used medicinal plants from PNG were screened for herb-drug interactions related to cytochrome P450s (CYPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty nine methanol extracts of TM plants were screened for their ability to induce CYPs by human aryl hydrocarbon receptor- (hAhR-) and human pregnane X receptor- (hPXR-) dependent mechanisms, utilizing a commercially available cell-based luciferase reporter system. Inhibition of three major CYPs, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6, was determined using human liver microsomes and enzyme-selective model substrates. RESULTS: Almost one third of the TM plant extracts induced the hAhR-dependent expression of CYP1A2, the hPXR-dependent expression of CYP3A4, or both. Almost two thirds inhibited CYP1A2, CYP3A4, or CYP2D6, or combinations thereof. Many plant extracts exhibited both induction and inhibition properties. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the potent and selective ability of extracts from PNG medicinal plants to affect drug metabolizing enzymes through induction and/or inhibition is a common phenomenon. Use of traditional medicines concomitantly with ART could dramatically alter the concentrations of antiretroviral drugs in the body; and their efficacy. PNG healthcare providers should counsel HIV patients because of this consequence.

Comparative analysis of human CYP3A4 and rat CYP3A1 induction and relevant gene expression by bisphenol A and diethylstilbestrol: implications for toxicity testing paradigms.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interact with the human pregnane X receptor (PXR). CYP3A4 enzyme is essential in the hydroxylation of steroid hormones and is regulated by PXR. In the present study, human and rat hepatoma cell lines were exposed to BPA and DES. Both BPA and DES (10-50µM) caused a significant activation of the CYP3A4 promoter via the PXR in the DPX2 human hepatoma cell line. No activation of rat PXR was seen. BPA and DES treated DPX2 cells demonstrated increased expression of CYP3A4 mRNA, and increased enzyme activity. In summary, BPA, in concentrations relevant to current safety levels of human exposure, activates the human PXR and demonstrates an increase in CYP3A4 mRNA expression and enzyme activity. BPA actions in this model system occur to a greater extent than DES. This study raises concerns regarding our current toxicity testing paradigms and species utilization.

Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum prevents colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies suggest that mushroom intake is inversely correlated with gastric, gastrointestinal and breast cancers. We have recently demonstrated anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene extract isolated from mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (GLT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether GLT prevents colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Colon carcinogenesis was induced by the food-borne carcinogen (2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazol[4,5-b]pyridine [PhIP]) and inflammation (dextran sodium sulfate [DSS]) in mice. Mice were treated with 0, 100, 300 and 500 mg GLT/kg of body weight 3 times per week for 4 months. Cell proliferation, expression of cyclin D1 and COX-2 and macrophage infiltration was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The effect of GLT on XRE/AhR, PXR and rPXR was evaluated by the reporter gene assays. Expression of metabolizing enzymes CYP1A2, CYP3A1 and CYP3A4 in colon tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. GLT treatment significantly suppressed focal hyperplasia, aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation and tumor formation in mice exposed to PhIP/DSS. The anti-proliferative effects of GLT were further confirmed by the decreased staining with Ki-67 in colon tissues. PhIP/DSS-induced colon inflammation was demonstrated by the significant shortening of the large intestine and macrophage infiltrations, whereas GLT treatment prevented the shortening of colon lengths, and reduced infiltration of macrophages in colon tissue. GLT treatment also significantly down-regulated PhIP/DSS-dependent expression of cyclin D1, COX-2, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in colon tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that GLT could be considered as an alternative dietary approach for the prevention of colitis-associated cancer.

Hippocampal betaine/GABA transporter mRNA expression is not regulated by inflammation or dehydration post-status epilepticus.

Seizure activity can alter GABA transporter and osmoprotective gene expression, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. However, the response of the betaine/GABA transporter (BGT1) is unknown. The goal of the present study was to compare the expression of BGT1 mRNA to that of other osmoprotective genes and GABA transporters following status epilepticus (SE). The possible contributory role of dehydration and inflammation was also investigated because both have been shown to be involved in the regulation of GABA transporter and/or osmoprotective gene expression. BGT1 mRNA was increased 24 h post-SE, as were osmoprotective genes. BGT1 was decreased 72 h and 4 weeks post-SE, as were the GABA transporter mRNAs. The mRNA values for osmoprotective genes following 24-h water withdrawal were significantly lower than the values obtained 24 h post-SE despite similarities in their plasma osmolality values. BGT1 mRNA was not altered by lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation while the transcription factor tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein and the GABA transporters 1 and 3 were. These results suggest that neither plasma osmolality nor inflammation fully account for the changes seen in BGT1 mRNA expression post-SE. However, it is evident that BGT1 mRNA expression is altered by SE and displays a temporal pattern with similarities to both GABA and osmolyte transporters. Further investigation of BGT1 regulation in the brain is warranted.

Nanosilver particle effects on drug metabolism in vitro.

Nanosilver particles are present in consumer and health care products. Their effects on human microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) activities and induction in luciferase reporter-engineered Caco-2 (MDR1.C) and HepG2 (DPX2 and 1A2DRE) cells have been investigated. The LD(50) values were ∼ 4 µg silver/ml for HepG2 and 5 µg/ml for Caco-2 cells. At silver concentrations that showed no decreased cell viability (<1 µg silver/ml), the pregnane X receptor (PXR)-driven 4.5-fold induction response of MDR1.C cells to 50 µM omeprazole was unaffected. In DPX2 cells, the PXR-driven 5.5- and 6.5-fold induction responses to omeprazole and 10 µM rifampicin were attenuated to 4- and 3.5-fold, respectively. Nanosilver particles alone showed no induction. In 1A2DRE cells, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-driven 5.5-fold induction response to omeprazole was attenuated to 4-fold. In 1A2DRE cells, nanosilver alone elicited slight induction at 1 µg/ml. The inhibition of human P450-selective activities by nanosilver particles in vitro was proportional to the silver/microsomal protein ratio. At a fixed (0.5 mg/ml) protein concentration, P450-selective activities differed in sensitivity (IC(50) value). Coumarin 7-hydroxylation and 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin O-deethylation exhibited the highest IC(50) values (33.5 and 31.9 µM, respectively) and S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation exhibited the lowest (6.4 µM). Other IC(50) values were, in ascending order, 8.0 to 9.3 µM (testosterone 6ß-hydroxylation, 7-benzyloxyquinoline debenzylation, and diclofenac 4-hydroxylation), 16.0 µM (chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation), 21.2 µM [7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin O-demethylation], and 24.4 µM (7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylation). An investigation of 70 µM nanosilver particles showed that microsomal NADPH cytochrome c reductase activities were inhibited <12%. From our in vitro observations, we extrapolated that nanosilver particles reaching the liver may be a potential source of drug-drug interactions.

Potent mutagenicity of 3-methylindole requires pulmonary cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation: a comparison to the prototype cigarette smoke mutagens B(a)P and NNK.

3-Methylindole (3MI) is a preferential pneumotoxicant found in cigarette smoke. A number of lung-expressed human cytochrome P450 enzymes, including 1A1, 2F1, and 2A13, catalyze the metabolism of 3MI to reactive intermediates that fragment DNA, measured with the Comet assay to assess DNA damage, in a cytochrome P450-dependent manner in primary normal human lung cells in culture, but the mutagenesis of 3MI has been controversial. In the present study, the mutagenic potential of 3MI was compared to the prototypical cigarette smoke carcinogens benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). 3MI, B(a)P, and NNK were incubated with the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98, which is known to detect the most common subtype of cigarette smoke-induced mutagenicity, frameshift mutations in DNA, and with Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100, which detects base pair substitution mutants, with five sources of P450-mediated bioactivation: rat liver S9, human lung microsomes, recombinant CYP2A13, purified CYP2F3, and recombinant CYP1A1. Only B(a)P was mutagenic in TA100, and it was bioactivated by human lung microsomes and rat liver S9 sources of P450s. However, with the TA98 strain, CYP1A1, CYP2A13, CYP2F3, and human lung microsomes bioactivated 3MI to highly mutagenic intermediates, whereas neither human nor rat liver S9 subcellular fractions formed mutagenic intermediates from 3MI. Quantitative Western blot analysis verified that all three respiratory enzymes were present in human lung microsomes in widely varying amounts. These results indicate that metabolism of 3MI by human lung-expressed cytochrome P450 enzymes but not hepatic P450s elicits equivalent or higher mutagenicity than the prototype cigarette smoke mutagens B(a)P and NNK and indicates that 3MI is a likely human pulmonary carcinogen.

3-Methylindole is mutagenic and a possible pulmonary carcinogen.

Previous work has shown that bioactivation of the cigarette smoke pneumotoxicant 3-methylindole (3MI) by pulmonary cytochrome P450 enzymes is directly associated with formation of DNA adducts. Here, we present evidence that normal human lung epithelial cells, exposed to low micromolar concentrations of 3MI, showed extensive DNA damage, as measured by the comet assay, with similar potency to the prototypical genotoxic agents, doxorubicin and irinotecan. The DNA damage caused by 3MI was predominantly caused by single-strand breaks. Furthermore, we show that this damage decreased with time, given a subtoxic concentration, with detectable DNA fragmentation peaking 4 h after exposure and diminishing to untreated levels within 24 h. Pretreatment with an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), NU1025, nearly doubled the DNA damage produced by 5 microM 3MI, implying that PARP1, which among other activities, functions to repair single-strand breaks in DNA, repaired at least some of the 3MI-induced DNA fragmentation. A key cellular response to DNA damage, phosphorylation, and nuclear localization of p53 was seen at subtoxic levels of 3MI exposure. 3MI was highly mutagenic, with essentially the same potency as the prototype carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene, only when a lung-expressed CYP2F3 enzyme was used to dehydrogenate 3MI to its putative DNA-alkylating intermediate. Conversely, a rat liver S9 metabolic system did not bioactivate 3MI to its mutagenic intermediate(s). Concentrations higher than 25 microM caused apoptosis, which became extensive at 100 microM, similar to the response seen with 10 microM doxorubicin. Our findings indicate that there is a low concentration window in which 3MI can cause extensive DNA damage and mutation, without triggering apoptotic defenses, reinforcing the hypothesis that inhaled 3MI from cigarette smoke may be a potent lung-selective carcinogen.

"Pharm-ecology" of diet shifting: biotransformation of plant secondary compounds in creosote (Larrea tridentata) by a woodrat herbivore, Neotoma lepida.

Diet switching in mammalian herbivores may necessitate a change in the biotransformation enzymes used to process plant secondary compounds (PSCs). We investigated differences in the biotransformation system in the mammalian herbivore, Neotoma lepida, after a radical shift in diet and secondary compound composition. Populations of N. lepida in the Mojave Desert have evolved over the past 10,000 years to feed on creosote (Larrea tridentata) from an ancestral state of consuming juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). This dietary shift represents a marked change in the dietary composition of PSCs in that creosote leaves are coated with phenolic resin, whereas juniper is high in terpenes but lacks phenolic resin. We quantified the enzyme activity of five major groups of biotransformation enzymes (cytochrome P450s, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, glutathione conjugation, sulfation, and glucuronidation) recognized for their importance to mammalian biotransformation for the elimination of foreign compounds. Enzyme activities were compared between populations of Mojave and Great Basin woodrats fed control and creosote diets. In response to creosote, the Mojave population had greater levels of cytochrome P450s (CYP2B, CYP1A) and glutathione conjugation liver enzymes compared with the Great Basin population. Our results suggest that elevated levels of cytochrome P450s and glutathione conjugation enzymes in the Mojave population may be the underlying biotransformation mechanisms that facilitate feeding on creosote.

Xenobiotic metabolism of plant secondary compounds in oak (Quercus agrifolia) by specialist and generalist woodrat herbivores, genus Neotoma.

The challenge of consuming plant compounds that are recognized to have toxic physiological effects is an unavoidable consequence of an herbivorous diet and requires mechanisms to metabolize and eliminate them after consumption. We took a pharmacological approach to understanding how an oak (Quercus agrifolia) specialist (Neotoma macrotis) and generalist (N. lepida) herbivores process the same dietary toxins. Oak contains polyphenolic compounds considered toxic to most other mammals. N. macrotis includes up to 85% of oak in their diet. N. lepida includes oak as a portion of the diet but is considered a generalist in areas where sympatric with N. macrotis. Xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme activities of N. macrotis and N. lepida were investigated after animals were fed a 70% oak diet and a toxin-free control diet. Biotransformation activities of five major enzymes [cytochrome P450s (CYP), NAD(P)H/quinone oxidoreductase (QOR), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), sulfotransferase (SULT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and three specific CYP isozymes (CYP1A, CYP2B, and CYP3A) were investigated. The results indicate that, with the exception of CYP2B induction, N. macrotis and N. lepida enzyme activities are not changed by an oak diet. The major differences in enzyme activities were constitutive. The specialist, N. macrotis, had higher constitutive activity of QOR, UGT, and GST. The generalist, N. lepida, had higher constitutive activity levels of CYP1A and SULT.

Xenobiotic metabolism of plant secondary compounds in juniper (Juniperus monosperma) by specialist and generalist woodrat herbivores, genus Neotoma.

Mammalian herbivores routinely consume diets laden with often-toxic xenobiotics, yet the manner in which mammalian herbivores detoxify these plant secondary compounds (PSC) is largely unknown. Theory predicts that specialists rely more heavily on functionalization pathways whereas generalists rely on conjugation pathways to metabolize PSC in their diet. We took a pharmacological approach to determine how a specialist (Neotoma stephensi) of juniper foliage (Juniperus monosperma) and a generalist (N. albigula) may process the same dietary PSC. We investigated the xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes of the specialist and generalist on a control diet and a low (25%) juniper diet. We also examined enzyme activities in the specialist on a high (70%) juniper diet. We assayed for cytochrome P450 concentration and biotransformation activities of three specific cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYP1A, CYP2B, CYP3A), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, glutathione conjugation, sulfation and glucuronidation. Results provide partial evidence for the hypothesis in that the specialist and generalist consuming juniper at a level similar to their natural diet, differ in the level of conjugation enzyme activity with generalists having higher activity overall than specialists.

Murine hepatoma (Hepa1c1c7) cells: a responsive in vitro system for chemoprotective enzyme induction by organoselenium compounds.

Murine (Hepa1c1c7) hepatoma cells are a suitable in vitro system for investigating the regulation of chemoprotective enzymes by selenazolidines, novel l-selenocysteine prodrugs developed as potential chemopreventive agents. They are less sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of both selenite and the less toxic selenazolidines than rat hepatoma (H4IIE) cells. All four selenazolidine 4-carboxylic acid (SCA) derivatives examined elevated thioredoxin reductase (Txnrd1), alpha-class glutathione transferases (Gsta), and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (Ugt)1a6 mRNAs. NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase (Nqo1) was induced by the three 2-alkyl derivatives (2-cyclohexylSCA, 2-butylSCA, and 2-methylSCA) but not SCA itself. Transcripts of mu- and pi-class glutathione transferases were induced only by 2-cyclohexylSCA and 2-butylSCA. Only Gsta and Txnrd1 transcripts were elevated by l-selenomethionine, l-selenocystine, or Se-methyl-l-selenocysteine. Txnrd1, Gsta, Nqo1, and Gstp responses to selenazolidines were all abolished by actinomycin D while Ugt1a6 responses were not. Induction responses to the selenazolidines were also eliminated (most) or reduced (Txnrd1 by 2-methylSCA) by cycloheximide, with the exception of Ugt1a6. The Ugt1a6 mRNA levels in the presence of SCAs and cycloheximide were similar to those with cycloheximide alone, and were almost double those of vehicle-treated cells. Thus, Hepa1c1c7 cells appear to provide a viable platform for the study of protective enzyme regulation by selenocompounds, and with the exception of Ugt1a6, the mRNA elevations from selenazolidines are transcriptionally dependent.

Anticonvulsant activity, neural tube defect induction, mutagenicity and pharmacokinetics of a new potent antiepileptic drug, N-methoxy-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropane carboxamide.

N-methoxy-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropane carboxamide (OM-TMCD) is a methoxyamide derivative of a cyclopropyl analogue of valproic acid (VPA). The structural considerations used in the design of OM-TMCD were aimed to enhance OM-TMCD anticonvulsant potency (compared to VPA) and to prevent VPA's two life-threatening side effects, i.e., induction of neural tube defects (NTDs) and hepatotoxicity. Following i.p. administration to rats OM-TMCD demonstrated a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activity and showed better potency than VPA in the maximal electroshock seizure and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole tests as well as in the hippocampal kindling model. OM-TMCD was inactive in the mouse 6-Hz test at 100 mg/kg dose. Teratogenicity studies performed in a SWV/Fnn-mouse model for VPA-induced-exencephaly showed that on the equimolar basis OM-TMCD possesses the same fetal toxicity and ability to induce NTDs as VPA, but since OM-TMCD is a much more potent anticonvulsant its activity/exencephaly formation ratio appears to be much more beneficial than that of VPA. OM-TMCD was found to be non-mutagenic and non-pro-mutagenic in the Ames test. It showed a beneficial pharmacokinetic profile in rats, having a high oral bioavailability of 75% and satisfactory values of clearance and volume of distribution. These results support further studies to fully characterize the therapeutic potential of OM-TMCD.

Preclinical evaluation of 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarbonyl-urea, a novel, second generation to valproic acid, antiepileptic drug.

2,2,3,3-Tetramethylcyclopropanecarbonylurea (TMCU) is an amide derivative of a tetramethylcyclopropyl analogue of valproic acid (VPA), one of the leading antiepileptic drugs. Structural considerations used in the design of TMCU aimed to enhance the anticonvulsant potency of VPA and to prevent its two life-threatening side effects; i.e., teratogenicity and hepatotoxicity. The anticonvulsant activity of TMCU was evaluated in the MES, scMet, 6-Hz, scBic and scPic tests, and also in the hippocampal kindling model of partial seizures and lamotrigine-resistant amygdala kindling model of therapy-resistant seizures. Minimal motor impairment was determined using the rotorod test in mice and the positional sense test, muscle tone test, and gait and stance test in rats. The antinociceptive effect of TMCU was evaluated in the mouse formalin model of acute-tonic pain. The molecular mechanisms of action of TMCU were investigated in electrophysiological studies using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Teratogenicity studies were performed in a SWV/Fnn-mouse model of VPA-induced teratogenicity. TMCU hepatotoxicity was evaluated following 1-week intraperitoneal and oral administration of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg doses to rats. In the hepatotoxicity study the blood levels of TMCU were evaluated at day 1 and day 7 of the treatment. TMCU mutagenicity was evaluated in the Ames test.