Comparison of the metabolism of 10 chemicals in human and pig skin explants.

Skin metabolism is important to consider when assessing local toxicity and/or penetration of chemicals and their metabolites. If human skin supply is limited, pig skin can be used as an alternative. To identify any species differences, we have investigated the metabolism of 10 chemicals in a pig and human skin explant model. Phase I metabolic pathways in skin from both species included those known to occur via cytochrome P450s, esterases, alcohol dehydrogenases and aldehyde dehydrogenases. Common Phase II pathways were glucuronidation and sulfation but other conjugation pathways were also identified. Chemicals not metabolized by pig skin (caffeine, IQ and 4-chloroaniline) were also not metabolized by human skin. Six chemicals metabolized by pig skin were metabolized to a similar extent (percentage parent remaining) by human skin. Human skin metabolites were also detected in pig skin incubations, except for one unidentified minor vanillin metabolite. Three cinnamyl alcohol metabolites were unique to pig skin but represented minor metabolites. There were notable species differences in the relative amounts of common metabolites. The difference in the abundance of the sulfate conjugates of resorcinol and 4-amino-3-nitrophenol was in accordance with the known lack of aryl sulfotransferase activity in pigs. In conclusion, while qualitative comparisons of metabolic profiles were consistent between pig and human skin, there were some quantitative differences in the percentage of metabolites formed. This preliminary assessment suggests that pig skin is metabolically competent and could be a useful tool for evaluating potential first-pass metabolism before testing in human-derived tissues.

The Cosmetics Europe strategy for animal-free genotoxicity testing: project status up-date.

The Cosmetics Europe (formerly COLIPA) Genotoxicity Task Force has driven and funded three projects to help address the high rate of misleading positives in in vitro genotoxicity tests: The completed "False Positives" project optimized current mammalian cell assays and showed that the predictive capacity of the in vitro micronucleus assay was improved dramatically by selecting more relevant cells and more sensitive toxicity measures. The on-going "3D skin model" project has been developed and is now validating the use of human reconstructed skin (RS) models in combination with the micronucleus (MN) and Comet assays. These models better reflect the in use conditions of dermally applied products, such as cosmetics. Both assays have demonstrated good inter- and intra-laboratory reproducibility and are entering validation stages. The completed "Metabolism" project investigated enzyme capacities of human skin and RS models. The RS models were shown to have comparable metabolic capacity to native human skin, confirming their usefulness for testing of compounds with dermal exposure. The program has already helped to improve the initial test battery predictivity and the RS projects have provided sound support for their use as a follow-up test in the assessment of the genotoxic hazard of cosmetic ingredients in the absence of in vivo data.

Report from the EPAA workshop: in vitro ADME in safety testing used by EPAA industry sectors.

There are now numerous in vitro and in silico ADME alternatives to in vivo assays but how do different industries incorporate them into their decision tree approaches for risk assessment, bearing in mind that the chemicals tested are intended for widely varying purposes? The extent of the use of animal tests is mainly driven by regulations or by the lack of a suitable in vitro model. Therefore, what considerations are needed for alternative models and how can they be improved so that they can be used as part of the risk assessment process? To address these issues, the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) working group on prioritization, promotion and implementation of the 3Rs research held a workshop in November, 2008 in Duesseldorf, Germany. Participants included different industry sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial- and agro-chemicals. This report describes the outcome of the discussions and recommendations (a) to reduce the number of animals used for determining the ADME properties of chemicals and (b) for considerations and actions regarding in vitro and in silico assays. These included: standardisation and promotion of in vitro assays so that they may become accepted by regulators; increased availability of industry in vivo kinetic data for a central database to increase the power of in silico predictions; expansion of the applicability domains of in vitro and in silico tools (which are not necessarily more applicable or even exclusive to one particular sector) and continued collaborations between regulators, academia and industry. A recommended immediate course of action was to establish an expert panel of users, developers and regulators to define the testing scope of models for different chemical classes. It was agreed by all participants that improvement and harmonization of alternative approaches is needed for all sectors and this will most effectively be achieved by stakeholders from different sectors sharing data.

Metabolite screening of aromatic amine hair dyes using in vitro hepatic models.

Aromatic amines and heterocyclic amines are widely used ingredients in permanent hair dyes. However, little has been published on their potential for oxidation via hepatic cytochrome P450s. Therefore, the authors screened nine such compounds for their potential to undergo oxidative metabolism in human liver microsomes. Toluene-2,5-diamine (TDA), p-aminophenol, m-aminophenol, p-methylaminophenol, N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, and 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole showed no evidence of oxidative metabolism. Oxidized metabolites of 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene (AHT), 2-methyl-5- hydroxyethylaminophenol (MHEAP), and phenyl methyl pyrazolone (PMP) were detected, but there was no evidence of beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent covalent binding to microsomal protein, suggesting that these are not reactive metabolites. Metabolism of AHT, MHEAP, PMP, and TDA was further studied in human hepatocytes. All these compounds underwent conjugation, but no oxidative metabolites were found. The results suggest that none of the hair dye ingredients tested showed evidence of hepatic metabolism to potentially biologically reactive oxidized metabolites.

Comparison of intrinsic metabolic clearance in fresh and cryopreserved human hepatocytes.

1. We compared the intrinsic clearance (CL(int)) of a number of substrates in suspensions of fresh and cryopreserved human hepatocytes from seven donors. 2. CL(int) values for a cocktail incubation of phenacetin, diclofenac, diazepam, bufuralol, midazolam, and hydroxycoumarin were 4.9 +/- 3.4, 18 +/- 7.2, 5.1 +/- 4.9, 6.3 +/- 3.3, 9.8 +/- 5.8 and 22 +/- 14 microl min(-1)/10(6) cells, respectively, and they correlated well with corresponding CL(int) values using cryopreserved hepatocytes from 25 different donors. 3. CL(int) values of each cocktail substrate and 20 AstraZeneca new chemical entities were compared in fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes from the same three donors. There was a statistically significant correlation between CL(int) in fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes for each of the three livers (p < 0.002) and the geometric mean of the ratio of fresh to cryopreserved CL(int) values was 1.03. 4. In conclusion, the results add further support to the use of cryopreserved human hepatocytes as a screening model for the intrinsic clearance of new chemical entities.

Skin metabolism of aminophenols: human keratinocytes as a suitable in vitro model to qualitatively predict the dermal transformation of 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene in vivo.

4-Amino-2-hydroxytolune (AHT) is an aromatic amine ingredient in oxidative hair colouring products. As skin contact occurs during hair dyeing, characterisation of dermal metabolism is important for the safety assessment of this chemical class. We have compared the metabolism of AHT in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT with that observed ex-vivo in human skin and in vivo (topical application versus oral (p.o.) and intravenous (i.v.) route). Three major metabolites of AHT were excreted, i.e. N-acetyl-AHT, AHT-sulfate and AHT-glucuronide. When 12.5 mg/kg AHT was applied topically, the relative amounts of each metabolite were altered such that N-acetyl-AHT product was the major metabolite (66% of the dose in comparison with 37% and 32% of the same applied dose after i.v. and p.o. administration, respectively). N-acetylated products were the only metabolites detected in HaCaT cells and ex-vivo whole human skin discs for AHT and p-aminophenol (PAP), an aromatic amine known to undergo N-acetylation in vivo. Since N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is the responsible enzyme, kinetics of AHT was further compared to the standard NAT1 substrate p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) in the HaCaT model revealing similar values for K(m) and V(max). In conclusion NAT1 dependent dermal N-acetylation of AHT represents a 'first-pass' metabolism effect in the skin prior to entering the systemic circulation. Since the HaCaT cell model represents a suitable in vitro assay for addressing the qualitative contribution of the skin to the metabolism of topically-applied aromatic amines it may contribute to a reduction in animal testing.

Induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes: methods, mechanisms, recommendations, and in vitro-in vivo correlations.

Induction of drug-clearance pathways (Phase 1 and 2 enzymes and transporters) can have important clinical consequences. Inducers can (1) increase the clearance of other drugs, resulting in a decreased therapeutic effect, (2) increase the activation of pro-drugs, causing an alteration in their efficacy and pharmacokinetics, and (3) increase the bioactivation of drugs that contribute to hepatotoxicity via reactive intermediates. Nuclear receptors are key mediators of drug-induced changes in the expression of drug-clearance pathways. However, species differences in nuclear receptor activation make the prediction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction in humans from data derived from animal models problematic. Thus, in vitro human-relevant model systems are increasingly used to evaluate enzyme induction. In this review, the authors' current understanding of the mechanisms of enzyme induction and the in vitro methods for assessing the induction potential of new drugs will be discussed. Relevant issues and considerations surrounding proper study design and the interpretation of in vitro results will be discussed in light of the current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations.

Phase I and II enzyme characterization of two sources of HepG2 cell lines.

1: The metabolism by HepG2 cell from two sources (M1, M2) of 12 substrates is reported: ethoxyresorufin, ethoxycoumarin, testosterone, tolbutamide, chlorzoxazone, dextromethorphan, phenacetin, midazolam, acetaminophen, hydroxycoumarin, p-nitrophenol and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), and a pharmaceutical compound, EMD68843. 2: Activities varied markedly. Some were present in M1 (CYP1A, CYP2C9, CYP2E1) but absent in M2. M1 had a more complete set of Phase I enzymes than M2. CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A activities were present at levels similar to human hepatocytes. Phase II metabolism differed between M1 and M2. M1 conjugated hydroxycoumarin and p-nitrophenol to glucuronides only, whereas M2 produced sulfates. Glutathione conjugation of CDNB metabolism was 10-fold higher in M1 than in M2, but was still much lower than in human hepatocytes. CYP2E, CYP2C, CYP2B6 and CYP3A (but not CYP1A, glucuronyl S-transferase or S-transferase) were inducible in M1. Metabolites of EMD68843, produced by induced (but not uninduced) M1 were the same as those produced in human hepatocytes. 3: In conclusion, HepG2 cells have both Phase I and II enzymes, which activities and at what levels depend on the source and culture conditions. Therefore, HepG2 cells routinely used in in vitro assays should be characterized for their drug-metabolizing capabilities before any results can be fully interpreted.

Studies comparing in vivo:in vitro metabolism of three pharmaceutical compounds in rat, dog, monkey, and human using cryopreserved hepatocytes, microsomes, and collagen gel immobilized hepatocyte cultures.

The in vivo metabolism of three pharmaceutical compounds, EMD68843, EMD96785, and EMD128130, was compared in fresh and cryopreserved hepatocyte (CPH) suspensions and microsomes from rat, dog, monkey, and human livers and fresh human and rat hepatocyte collagen gel immobilized cultures (GICs). Half of the major in vivo metabolites was produced by phase 1 (hydroxylation, oxidation, hydrolysis, N-dealkylation) and half by phase 2 metabolism (mostly glucuronidation but also sulfation and glycine conjugation). The identity and percentage of phase 1 and 2 metabolites from each compound produced in hepatocytes compared well with that in each species in vivo. Glucuronidation was more extensive in GICs than in CPHs. In contrast, CPHs but not GICs, produced sulfate metabolites. Microsomes (supplemented with NADPH only) produced most of the phase 1 but no phase 2 metabolites. Metabolism in CPHs was the same as in fresh hepatocyte suspensions. Discrete species differences in metabolism were detected by CPHs and microsomes. Cytochrome P450 and glucuronosyl S-transferase contents of CPHs did not account for species differences in the percentage of phase 1 and 2 metabolites or the rate of disappearance of the parent compounds in these cells. These data show a good correlation between major metabolites formed in vivo and in vitro. CPHs and GICs, unlike microsomes, carried out sequential phase 1 and 2 metabolism. Each in vitro system has its own advantages, however, for short-term metabolism studies CPHs may be more useful since they are readily available, easier and quicker to prepare than GICs, and have more comprehensive enzyme systems than microsomes.

Metabolic activity of fresh and cryopreserved cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) hepatocytes.

1. The effect of cryopreservation on the metabolic capacity of monkey hepatocytes over 4 h in suspension and 24 h in culture was determined. Hepatocytes were diluted in a buffer containing 10% DMSO and frozen in a computer-controlled chamber. 2. Initial ethoxyresorufin and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activities were the same in fresh and cryopreserved (CP) hepatocytes. ECOD activity in suspensions declined over 4 h but was the same in fresh and CP hepatocytes. 3. The formation of testosterone hydroxy (OHT) metabolites (namely 6beta-OHT, 2beta-OHT, 16beta-OHT, 16alpha-OHT, 15beta-OHT, 2alpha-OHT and 6beta-OHT) was unaffected by cryopreservation. The loss of OHT activities over 4 h in CP and fresh whole cell suspensions was attributed to a loss of cofactor. CP hepatocyte cultures had equivalent OHT activities to freshly isolated hepatocytes. 4. Initial UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT) activities, using the substrates 4-methylumbelliferone, ethoxycoumarin and hydroxycoumarin, were equivalent in fresh and CP whole hepatocytes. At later times, UGT activity was lower in CP than fresh hepatocytes but this was due to a loss of UDPGA. Initial sulphotransferase (SULT) activities, using the substrates 2-naphthol, ethoxycoumarin and hydroxycoumarin, were equivalent in fresh and CP hepatocytes. SULT activities were less stable than UGT activities but were the same in fresh and CP hepatocytes throughout the 4-h incubation. 5. Initial glutathione S-transferase activities (using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene) were the same in fresh and CP hepatocytes and both did not decrease over 4 h. 6. CP monkey hepatocytes are a useful model for metabolic and cytotoxicity studies. These cells can be can be used either in suspension or in culture.