Inhibition of cartilage and bone destruction in adjuvant arthritis in the rat by a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.

Considerable evidence has associated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with the degradation of cartilage and bone in chronic conditions such as arthritis. Direct evaluation of MMPs' role in vivo has awaited the development of MMP inhibitors with appropriate pharmacological properties. We have identified butanediamide, N4-hydroxy-2-(2-methylpropyl)-N1-[2-[[2-(morpholinyl)ethyl]-,[S- (R*,S*)] (GI168) as a potent MMP inhibitor with sufficient solubility and stability to permit evaluation in an experimental model of chronic destructive arthritis (adjuvant-induced arthritis) in rats. In this model, pronounced acute and chronic synovial inflammation, distal tibia and metatarsal marrow hyperplasia associated with osteoclasia, severe bone and cartilage destruction, and ectopic new bone growth are well developed by 3 wk after adjuvant injection. Rats were injected with Freund's adjuvant on day 0. GI168 was was administered systemically from days 8 to 21 by osmotic minipumps implanted subcutaneously. GI168 at 6, 12, and 25 mg/kg per d reduced ankle swelling in a dose-related fashion. Radiological and histological ankle joint evaluation on day 22 revealed a profound dose related inhibition of bone and cartilage destruction in treated rats relative to rats receiving vehicle alone. A significant reduction in edema, pannus formation, periosteal new bone growth and the numbers of adherent marrow osteoclasts was also noted. However, no significant decrease in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocyte infiltration of synovium and marrow hematopoietic cellularity was seen. This unique profile of antiarthritic activity indicates that GI168 is osteo- and chondro-protective, and it supports a direct role for MMP in cartilage and bone damage and pannus formation in adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Immunohistochemical studies of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nuclear function.

In previous immunohistochemical studies, it has been found that all nuclei contain cyclic (c)GMP, which occurs in discrete aggregates and in the nucleolus. We have studied the nature of the cGMP aggregates in isolated mouse fetal nuclei using a specific immunofluorescent technique. These aggregates correspond to the areas of condensation of DNA, demonstrable by either Felugen's or acridine orange stain. Treatment with DNAase eliminated DNA and cGMP staining. Staining for RNA, with a human anti-RNA antibody, demonstrated RNA to be distributed diffusely throughout the nucleus and not preferentially in the areas of discrete cGMP aggregates. The diffuse stain for nuclear RNA was eliminated by pretreatment with RNAase but not DNAase, but aggregates of cGMP were not affected by pretreatment with RNAase. Sites of active RNA synthesis were determined by autoradiography using [3H]uridine, and did not correspond to the aggregates of cGMP. The relationship of cGMP to nucleolar function was examined in the endothelial cells of the isthmus and ampulla of the rat fallopian tube. Previous studies have shown that in proestrous, a period of increased RNA synthesis, nucleoli detectable by staining for RNA appear in the endothelial cells lining the fallopian tube. After immunofluorescent staining, we found prominent accumulation of cGMP in the nucleoli. During other phases of the cycle, there is an absence of nucleoli detectable by staining for RNA, and an absence of nucleolar cGMP. After we treated hypophysectomized or oophorectomized rats with estrogen, which is known to increase nucleolar RMA synthesis in the fallopian tube and endometrium, nucleoli in the endothelial cells of the rat fallopian tube and uterus stained strongly for cGMP. In conclusion, our studies suggest that the discrete aggregates of nuclear cGMP are associated with a fraction of DNA uninvolved in RNA synthesis. In contrast, cGMP appears in the nucleolus during a period of increased RNA synthesis, suggesting a role for cGMP in regulating nucleolar synthesis and processing of RNA.

Microcirculation of hepatic nodules from diethylnitrosamine-treated rats.

The microcirculation of nodules (0.5 to 10 mm in diameter) from diethylnitrosamine-treated rats was studied in perfused livers. Microlight guides were placed on nodules and surrounding tissue on the capsular surface of the liver to measure fluorescence due to fluorescein-dextran (12 microM), a dye confined to the vascular space, infused via the hepatic artery and portal vein separately or simultaneously. The fluorescence increase due to fluorescein-dextran infusion via the artery and vein simultaneously was used to compare vascular space in nodules with that of surrounding tissue. The vascular space of nodules less than 1 mm in diameter was only about one-half as large as that of surrounding tissue. In contrast, in nodules 1 to 2 mm in diameter, the vascular space was similar to values from surrounding tissue. This was largely due to an increase in the fluid entering via the artery. As nodules grew from 2 to 10 mm in diameter, the vascular space decreased as a function of nodule size to 40% of surrounding tissue. The sum of fluorescence increases due to fluorescein-dextran infused via the artery and vein separately always equalled values obtained from simultaneous infusions. From these measurements, the fraction of vascular fluid observed by the microlight guide that entered the liver via the artery was calculated. In tissue surrounding nodules, fluid entering from the artery was 19% of the total, a value approximating the fraction of fluid pumped into the liver via the artery (25%). The percentage of fluid in the nodule that entered the liver via the hepatic artery increased progressively to 100% of the total as nodules grew from 2 to 10 mm in diameter. Thus, nodules become increasingly dependent on the hepatic artery and less dependent on blood supply via the portal vein as they grow.

Effect of size on portal circulation of hepatic nodules from carcinogen-treated rats.

The portal circulation of diethylnitrosamine-initiated nodules (0.5 to 7 mm in diameter) was studied in rat livers perfused exclusively via the portal vein. Microlight guides were placed on normal and nodular tissue on the capsular surface of the liver to measure pyridine nucleotide fluorescence (366 leads to 450 nm). When oxygen tension of the inflow perfusate was lowered, fluorescence in both normal tissue and small nodules (less than 2 mm in diameter) increased sharply due to the reduction of pyridine nucleotides, indicating previous normoxia. In contrast, similar manipulations did not increase fluorescence in nodules greater than 2 mm in diameter, demonstrating that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide was reduced maximally previously; i.e., the nodules were anoxic. Direct measurements of nodule oxygen concentrations with a miniature oxygen electrode confirmed these results. 7-Hydroxycoumarin or fluorescein could be detected with micro-light guides in normal tissue and nodules less than 2 mm in diameter but not in nodules greater than 2 mm in diameter. Furthermore, fluorescent microscopy indicated an absence of fluorescein in nodules greater than 2 mm in diameter. Therefore, with four independent optical and polarographic techniques, we have demonstrated reduced portal circulation in nodules greater than 2 mm in diameter; however, smaller nodules could not be differentiated from normal tissue.

Role of fatty acyl coenzyme A oxidase in the efflux of oxidized glutathione from perfused livers of rats treated with the peroxisome proliferator nafenopin.

The diffusion of H2O2 into the cytoplasm from peroxisomes during high rates of peroxisomal beta oxidation of fatty acids was studied in perfused livers from rats treated with the hepatocarcinogenic peroxisome proliferator, nafenopin. Efflux of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) into the bile was used as a measure of increased H2O2 supply for cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase. Male F-344 rats were given methylcellulose vehicle or nafenopin (80 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 5-8 days and livers perfused in situ with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 50 microM taurocholate and 0.75 g/100 ml albumin. In livers from fed, vehicle-treated or fed, nafenopin-treated rats basal rates of GSSG efflux were about 60 nmol/g/h. Subsequent infusion of 350 microM lauric acid, an excellent substrate for peroxisomal beta-oxidation, had no effect on GSSG efflux. To maximize fatty acid oxidation rats were fasted 16-20 h. In livers from fasted, nafenopin-treated rats the basal rate of GSSG efflux was 384 +/- 85 (SE) nmol/g/h (n = 8). Subsequent infusion of lauric acid increased the rate to 940 +/- 138 nmol/g/h. In livers from fasted, vehicle-treated rats lauric acid caused GSSG efflux to increase slightly from 104 +/- 14 to 286 +/- 37 nmol/g/h (n = 9). Efflux of reduced glutathione in bile was similar in livers from fasted, vehicle-treated (163 +/- 15 nmol/g/h) and fasted, nafenopin-treated rats (135 +/- 17 nmol/g/h) and decreased about 30% with lauric acid infusion. N-Octanoyl and oleoyl coenzyme A were excellent substrates for cyanide-insensitive NAD+ reduction in liver homogenates from fasted, nafenopin-treated rats whereas n-butyl, linoleoyl, and arachidonyl coenzyme A were poor substrates. Infusion of octanoate and oleate caused large increases in GSSG efflux from perfused livers from fasted, nafenopin-treated rats. In contrast, butyrate, linoleate, and arachidonate had no effect on GSSG efflux from livers from fasted, nafenopin-treated rats. Octanoate, oleate, linoleate, butyrate, and arachidonate had no effect on GSSG efflux from livers from fasted, vehicle-treated rats. Infusion of 2-bromooctanoate (600 microM) completely blocked lauric acid-induced increases in GSSG efflux and acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate production in livers from fasted, nafenopin-treated rats. Infusion of 1-3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea reduced glutathione reductase activity by 90% but did not alter lauric acid-induced increases in GSSG efflux or ketogenesis in livers from fasted, nafenopin-treated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Relationship of hepatic peroxisome proliferation and replicative DNA synthesis to the hepatocarcinogenicity of the peroxisome proliferators di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and [4-chloro-6-(2,3-xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio]acetic acid (Wy-14,643) in rats.

The mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis caused by peroxisome proliferators (PP) is poorly understood, making it difficult to predict the carcinogenicity of PP to rodents or other species. It has been suggested that the carcinogenic potential of individual PP in rodents is correlated with the degree of PP-induced hepatic peroxisome proliferation. To evaluate this possible correlation, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) at 1.2% and [4-chloro-6-(2,3-xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio]acetic acid (Wy-14,643) at 0.1% were fed to male F-344 rats for up to 365 days and hepatocytic peroxisome proliferation and DNA replication were measured. All rats fed Wy-14,643 for 365 days had numerous grossly visible nodules in comparison to none in the livers of DEHP-fed or control rats. Despite this difference in the induction of tumors, both DEHP and Wy-14,643 increased the peroxisomal volume density 4- to 6-fold from 8 to 365 days of treatment. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme activities were increased 8-fold by both DEHP and Wy-14,643 after 18 days. At later time points (77 to 365 days), these enzyme activities were about 25% higher in livers of Wy-14,643- than DEHP-fed rats. DEHP or Wy-14,643 increased absolute liver weights 50 to 75% above controls after 18 to 365 days of feeding. Labeling of hepatocyte nuclei with a single injection of tritiated thymidine revealed a rapid burst in replicative DNA synthesis in both DEHP and Wy-14,643-fed rats, with a return to control levels by 4 days. Additional rats were implanted with 7-day osmotic pumps containing tritiated thymidine. With this more extended method of labeling a 5- to 10-fold increase in replicative DNA synthesis was observed in rats receiving Wy-14,643 for 39 to 365 days as compared to DEHP-fed rats or controls. In conclusion, when performed under conditions similar to the tumorigenicity studies, the degree of peroxisome proliferation correlated poorly with the relative hepatocarcinogenicity of DEHP and Wy-14,643. However, a strong correlation was observed between the relative hepatocarcinogenicity of DEHP and Wy-14,643 and the ability to induce a persistent increase in replicative DNA synthesis. These data emphasize the possible importance of cell replication in the mechanism of PP-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Effect of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors on tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis.

Four potent, synthetic inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were assessed as inhibitors of tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis to the lung. Mat Ly Lu rat prostate tumor, LOX human melanoma and M27 murine Lewis lung tumor were implanted subcutaneously (s.c.) in mice and allowed to grow for 3-12 days. The lungs of the tumor-bearing mice were then removed and implanted s.c. into untreated mice, and the outgrowth of secondary tumors from the implanted lungs measured. The incidence and rate of outgrowth of secondary tumors increased with the length of primary tumor growth, validating these measurements as indices of spontaneous metastasis to the lung. Compounds were tested by s.c. implantation of minipumps which delivered compound throughout the period of primary tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis to the lung at steady-state drug concentrations orders of magnitude greater than the concentrations needed to either inhibit collagenase, gelatinase or stromelysin in vitro. Inhibitor treatment slowed the growth of primary s.c. Mat Ly Lu and LOX tumors by 40-60% but had no significant effect on the growth of primary M27 tumors. Surprisingly, inhibitor treatment had no significant effect on the ability of the lung to generate secondary tumors when reimplanted s.c. in untreated mice. Because of the possible importance of cathepsins B, H and L in tumor growth and metastasis, the irreversible inhibitor E-64 was also infused by s.c. minipump. E-64 had no effect on the growth or spontaneous metastasis of Mat Ly Lu or M27 tumors.

Design of selective and soluble inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE).

A program to improve upon the in vitro, in vivo, and physicochemical properties of N-hydroxyformamide TACE inhibitor GW 3333 (1) is described. Using the primary structure of pro-TNF-alpha, along with a homology model of the catalytic domain of TACE based on the X-ray diffraction coordinates of adamalysin, we synthesized N-hydroxyformamide TACE inhibitors containing a P2' arginine side chain. Introduction of nitro and sulfonyl electron-withdrawing groups covalently bound to the P2' guanidine moiety rendered the inhibitors electronically neutral at cellular pH and led to potent inhibition of TNF-alpha release from stimulated macrophages. Inhibitors containing these arginine mimetics were found to have increased solubility in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) relative to 1, allowing for the incorporation of lipophilic P1' side chains which had the effect of retaining potent TACE inhibition, but reducing potency against matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) thus increasing overall selectivity against MMP1, MMP3, and MMP9. Selected compounds showed good to excellent in vivo TNF inhibition when administered via subcutaneous injection. One inhibitor, 28a, with roughly 10x selectivity over MMP1 and MMP3 and high solubility in SGF, was evaluated in the rat zymosan-induced pleuisy model of inflammation and found to inhibit zymosan-stimulated pleural TNF-alpha elevation by 30%.

Association of persistent peroxisome proliferation and oxidative injury with hepatocarcinogenicity in female F-344 rats fed di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate for 2 years.

Female F-344 rats were fed a diet containing up to 1.2% di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) for 2 years, which previously resulted in hepatocarcinogenesis under bioassay conditions. Peroxisome proliferation, decreased glutathione peroxidase activity, and lipofuscin accumulation were all associated with prolonged feeding of 1.2% DEHP and induction of hepatic neoplasia. These results establish a potential role for persistent peroxisome proliferation and oxidative injury in the hepatocarcinogenicity of dietary DEHP. Increased hepatocellular proliferation and hepatomegaly were not detected. DEHP feeding did not increase the volume density of basophilic or ATPase-deficient foci of altered hepatocytes, suggesting that these lesions are not suitable indicators of DEHP carcinogenesis.

Stimulation of mixed-function oxidation by NADPH in perfused mouse livers. Studies with saponin-permeabilized tissue.

In perfused livers from fed and fasted beta-naphthoflavone-treated C57BL/6J mice, maximal rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation were 30-40 mu moles/g/hr and 15-20 mu moles/g/hr respectively. The detergent saponin, at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 0.005%, was infused between 2 and 30 min to establish optimal conditions to permeabilize plasma membranes. Permeabilization was assessed by release of lactate dehydrogenase and stimulation of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation by citrate. Saponin (0.005% for 5 min) alone had little effect on the rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation or conjugation of p-nitrophenol by perfused livers. Further, dicarboxylates or NADPH had no effect on rates of monooxygenation by perfused mouse liver in the absence of saponin. In saponin-treated livers from fasted mice, however, rates of monooxygenation were increased rapidly by infusion of dicarboxylates (10 mM malate, citrate, or isocitrate) or an NADPH-generating system (60 and 110% respectively), over a 6-8 min period. During this time period, cellular energetics were not comprised as reflected by normal rates of glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol. Thus, non-permeable metabolites can enter saponin-permeabilized cells in the perfused liver. Rates of monooxygenation were increased 40-60% in livers from fed mice by citrate, NADPH (200 microM) or an NADPH-generating system. In contrast, saponin decreased mixed-function oxidation assayed in isolated microsomes incubated with an NADPH-generating system. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that maximal rates of monooxygenation in intact hepatocytes from fed as well as fasted mice is limited by the availability of NADPH.

Maintenance of nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate content and oxidation-reduction state during mixed-function oxidation of p-nitroanisole in isolated perfused livers of various species.

The influence of p-nitroanisole, a substrate for mixed-function oxidation, on total NADP+ and NADPH and NADP+/NADPH ratios was examined in perfused livers from three different species. Studies were performed using livers from Sprague-Dawley rats, Syrian golden hamsters and C57BL/6J mice. Although rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation varied more than 16-fold in perfused livers from these species, NADP+/NADPH ratios calculated from measured concentrations of NADP+ and NADPH and from ratios calculated from substrate pairs assumed to be in near equilibrium with NADP+-dependent dehydrogenases remained remarkably constant under most conditions. Thus, rates of NADPH utilization and generation must be tightly coupled in perfused livers during high rates of mixed-function oxidation. Exceptions to the general pattern noted above occurred in livers of fasted, phenobarbital-treated rats where carbohydrate reserves were depleted and in livers from 3-methyl-cholanthrene-treated mice where rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation were exceptionally high. Livers from fed phenobarbital-treated rats displayed a paradoxical decrease in NADP+/NADPH ratios reflecting reduction calculated from substrates assumed to be in near equilibrium with 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase during mixed-function oxidation, suggesting that NADPH generation exceeded NADPH utilization in the rat in the fed state. In contrast, the NADP+/NADPH ratio calculated from measured pyridine nucleotides increased in livers of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated mice perfused with p-nitroanisole, reflecting oxidation. Moreover, the NADP+/NADPH ratio calculated from substrates assumed to be near equilibrium with 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase increased in livers of fasted rats, suggesting that utilization of NADPH exceeded generation. Thus, adequate carbohydrate reserves appear essential for maintenance of NADPH during high rates of mixed-function oxidation.

Metabolic heterogeneity in the perfused rat liver.

New methods have been developed to monitor metabolic events non-invasively within periportal and pericentral regions of perfused rat livers. These techniques utilize two-fiber micro-light guides and miniature oxygen electrodes positioned on identified lobular regions of the perfused liver based on differential pigmentation of periportal and pericentral areas. Two-fiber micro-light guides detect the fluorescence of native and introduced fluors and are used to monitor redox changes of endogenous pyridine nucleotides and the generation of fluorescent products (e.g., 7-hydroxycoumarin) from exogenous substrates. Changes in fluorescence detected with two-fiber micro-light guides are correlated with changes measured with large, multi-fiber light guides and with whole organ rates of metabolism. Subsequently, local rates are estimated. With these techniques, we show that (a) rates of ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism are similar in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule; (b) mixed-function oxidation predominantes in pericentral regions in livers from phenobarbital-treated rats; (c) rates of sulfation of 7-hydroxycoumarin are greater in periportal than in pericentral hepatocytes; and (d) oxygen uptake is approximately 3-fold greater in periportal than in pericentral areas of the liver lobule.

Effect of the hepatocarcinogenic peroxisome proliferator Wy-14,643 in vivo: no increase in ethane exhalation or hepatic conjugated dienes.

Exhalation of ethane and pentane was used to access lipid peroxidation in rats receiving the hepatocarcinogenic peroxisome proliferator Wy-14,643 at 0.1% in the diet. Wy-14,643 treatment from 23 to 345 days did not increase ethane or pentane exhalation. The lack of an increase in ethane exhalation from rats fed Wy-14,643 was not due to resistance to lipid peroxidation or increased metabolism of ethane since rats fed Wy-14,643 were sensitive to CCl4-induced increases in ethane exhalation and cleared exogenous ethane at rates similar to controls. Difference spectra of hepatic lipids extracted from control and Wy-14,643-treated rats showed peaks at 220 and 275 nm but no defined peak at 240 nm, the wavelength at which conjugated dienes in peroxidized lipids absorb. In contrast, injection of CCl4 ip into control rats produced dose-dependent increases in ethane exhalation at 6.25 to 100 microliters/kg and increases in hepatic conjugated dienes and serum liver enzyme activities at 200 to 1000 microliters/kg. The lack of increased ethane and pentane exhalation in combination with no detectable increase in hepatic conjugated dienes argues against increased hepatic lipid peroxidation in rats receiving a hepatocarcinogenic dose of Wy-14,643.

Associative ionization of laser-excited Rydberg states in strontium vapor.

Using mass spectrometry we have confirmed that Sr(2)(+) ions are produced from laser-populated Rydberg states by the associative ionization process Sr(5snl) + Sr(5s(2)) ? Sr(2)(+) + e(-). Dimer ion signal was detected for the 5s6d(3)D(2) level, indicating that the binding energy of Sr(2)(+) exceeds 0.77 eV. We have observed that under certain conditions the Rydberg states are destroyed by electron-impact ionization before an associative ionization collision can occur.

Effect of glucose on 7-hydroxycoumarin glucuronide production in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule.

The effect of starvation and glucose addition on glucuronidation was assessed in sublobular regions of the lobule in perfused livers from phenobarbital-treated rats. Fibre-optic micro-light guides were placed on periportal and pericentral areas on the surface of livers to monitor the fluorescence (excitation 366 nm, emission 450 nm) of free 7-hydroxycoumarin from the tissue surface. After infusion of 7-hydroxycoumarin (80 microM) under normoxic conditions, steady-state increases in fluorescence were reached in 6-8 min in both regions. Subsequently, the formation of non-fluorescent 7-hydroxycoumarin glucuronide was inhibited completely by perfusion with N2-saturated perfusate containing 20 mM-ethanol. The difference in fluorescence between anoxic and normoxic perfusions was due to glucuronidation under these conditions. In livers from fed rats, rates of glucuronidation in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule were 8 and 19 mumol/h per g, respectively. In contrast, rates of glucuronidation were 3 and 9 mumol/h per g, respectively, in periportal and pericentral regions of livers from starved rats. Infusion of glucose (20 mM) had no effect on rates of glucuronidation in livers from fed rats; however, glucose increased rates of glucuronidation rapidly (half-time, t0.5 = 1.5 min) in periportal and pericentral regions to 7 and 17 mumol/h per g, respectively in livers from starved rats. These results indicate that the rapid synthesis of the cofactor UDP-glucuronic acid derived from glucose is an important rate-determinant for glucuronidation of 7-hydroxycoumarin in both periportal and pericentral regions of livers from starved rats.

Genetic regulation of NADPH supply in perfused mouse liver. Role of the Ah locus during induction by 3-methylcholanthrene.

Rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation in perfused livers from control DBA/2J and C57BL/6J, as well as from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated DBA/2J mice, reached maximal values of 15-17 mumol/g/h after 10 min of p-nitroanisole (0.2 mM) infusion. During the subsequent 30 min of p-nitroanisole infusion these rates declined steadily to 50% of the maximal rate. Infusion of 20 mM glucose completely reversed this decline in rate. Phenobarbital treatment of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice increased rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation about 2.5-fold to 44.4 +/- 3.4 and 35.1 +/- 3.4 mumol/g/h, respectively, which also declined during subsequent perfusion. In contrast, the kinetics of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation in perfused livers from 3-methylcholanthrene- and beta-naphthoflavone-treated C57BL/6J were distinctly different. These livers maintained high maximal rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation (41.1 +/- 4.7 mumol/g/h) throughout the 40 min of p-nitroanisole infusion. 3-Methylcholanthrene-treated (C57BL/6J)(DBA/2J)F1 perfused livers also maintained high rates of monooxygenation throughout the perfusion. All livers from the 3-methylcholanthrene-treated, Ah locus-responsive F1 X DBA/2J backcross group maintained high rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation throughout perfusion; however, 3-methylcholanthrene-treated, Ah locus-nonresponsive perfused livers resembled livers from untreated mice. The NADP+/NADPH ratio in livers from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated C57BL/6J but not DBA/2J mice was significantly higher than controls in the absence of p-nitroanisole. Addition of p-nitroanisole increased this ratio in both groups; however, higher values were observed in livers from C57BL/6J than DBA/2J mice. These data provide genetic evidence that the ability of mouse liver to sustain high rates of monooxygenation following 3-methylcholanthrene treatment is an autosomal dominant trait corresponding with the Ah locus and most likely is due to enhanced NADPH turnover.

Microcirculation in periportal and pericentral regions of lobule in perfused rat liver.

A noninvasive method was developed to quantitate the vascular space and the fraction of fluid entering the liver via the hepatic artery or portal vein in periportal and pericentral regions of the lobule. Fluorescence of fluorescein-dextran measured with a light guide placed on the surface of livers perfused via the portal vein in situ correlated closely with liver vascular space (r = 0.85). Thus, fluorescein-dextran fluorescence can be used to measure vascular space. Livers were then perfused simultaneously via the hepatic artery and portal vein at flow rates of 8 and 24 ml/min, respectively. Fluorescein-dextran (12 microM) was infused via the hepatic artery and portal vein separately or simultaneously. The sum of fluorescence increases due to fluorescein-dextran infused via the artery and vein equaled the increases due to simultaneous infusion via the artery and vein. From these measurements, the fraction of fluid that entered the vascular space via the artery or the portal vein was calculated. Vascular space was similar in hilar and tip areas of the left lateral lobe; however, threefold more fluid entered the liver via the hepatic artery in hilar regions than in tip areas. Micro-light guides were placed on periportal and pericentral areas of the liver lobule to monitor fluorescein-dextran fluorescence. Fluorescence changes indicated that the vascular space was about twice as large in pericentral as in periportal areas, whereas the fraction of fluid that entered the liver via the hepatic artery was similar in both regions. In addition, morphometric analysis of sections of liver indicated that the vascular space was 60% greater in pericentral than periportal regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carcinogen treatment increases glutathione hydrolysis by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.

The effect of carcinogen treatment on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-mediated hydrolysis of GSH to glutamate and cysteinylglycine in the blood and bile compartments was investigated in livers perfused in situ. Treatment of rats with 40 p.p.m. diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in the drinking water or 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) in the diet for 50-60 days increased GGT activity in liver homogenates by 100 and 800% respectively. Bile flow and the sum of glutamate and glutathione (GSH) efflux into the bile of perfused livers was not affected by carcinogen treatment. However, the ratio of GSH to glutamate in bile was 2.1, 1.1 and 0.2 in livers from control, DEN- and AAF-treated rats respectively. Pretreatment with L-(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT125) decreased GGT activity in liver homogenates by about 85% and elevated the ratio of GSH to glutamate in the bile to 3.2 in all groups. Thus, the hydrolysis of GSH to glutamate in the bile of perfused livers correlated with the degree of induction of GGT by DEN and AAF treatments. Exogenous GSH (10 microM) infused into the portal vein of perfused livers from control, DEN- and AAF-treated rats was recovered completely in the effluent perfusate. Pretreatment with AT125 had no effect on the recovery of exogenous GSH in the effluent perfusate. Thus, metabolism of GSH in the blood space was not detected after short-term carcinogen treatment. To increase the possible hydrolysis of GSH in the perfusate, rats were treated for 130-180 days with DEN and GSH (60 microM) was infused into the hepatic artery of livers perfused simultaneously via the hepatic artery and portal vein. Only 50% of the infused GSH was recovered in the effluent perfusate of perfused livers from DEN-treated rats. In contrast, significantly more GSH (80-90%) was recovered from livers from control rats or DEN-treated rats that had received AT125 pretreatment. In addition AT125 pretreatment increased the basal rates of GSH efflux in livers from DEN-treated rats. Thus, DEN-induced GGT metabolizes GSH entering the liver via the hepatic artery. Furthermore, GGT may act to decrease the net efflux of GSH from perfused livers by causing the intraorgan recycling of GSH and its constituent amino acids.

Glucuronidation of 7-hydroxycoumarin in periportal and pericentral regions of the lobule in livers from untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats.

Rates of production of 7-hydroxycoumarin glucuronide were measured in specific zones of the liver lobule using micro-light guides placed on periportal and pericentral regions on the surface of livers from untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. Livers were perfused with sulfate-free buffer under normoxic conditions and fluorescence of free 7-hydroxycoumarin was monitored. The formation of nonfluorescent 7-hydroxycoumarin glucuronide was then inhibited completely by perfusion with N2-saturated perfusate containing 20 mM ethanol. The difference between fluorescence readings under normoxic and hypoxic conditions was used to calculate rates of glucuronidation. Maximal rates of glucuronidation (11.9-13.5 mumol/g/hr) did not differ significantly in periportal and pericentral regions in livers from either 3-methylcholanthrene-treated or untreated rats. In all regions of the liver lobule, glucuronidation was half-maximal with about 20 microM 7-hydroxycoumarin. Glucuronosyltransferase assayed in lyophilized tissue sections with saturating concentrations of UDPGA (9 mM) was 2.3-fold greater in pericentral than in periportal areas in livers from untreated rats. In livers from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats, activities were similar in periportal and pericentral regions but were 4- to 7-fold higher than values from untreated rats. In addition, glucuronosyltransferase activity assayed in native microsomes with physiological concentrations of UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA) (0.4 mM) with UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (0.3 mM) was 2-fold higher in preparations from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated than untreated rats. Thus, 3-methylcholanthrene treatment increased glucuronosyltransferase activity in vitro but did not alter rates of glucuronide formation in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule of intact liver. Infusion of epinephrine (50 nM) into perfused livers from untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats increased rates of glucuronidation by about 35%. Since epinephrine probably acts by increasing the supply of the cofactor UDPGA due to increased breakdown of glycogen, it follows that UDPGA supply limits rates of glucuronidation in perfused livers from both untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats.