Ligand-dependent interaction of hepatic fatty acid-binding protein with the nucleus.

Our studies were conducted to explore the role of hepatic fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) in fatty acid transport to the nucleus. Purified rat L-FABP facilitated the specific interaction of [(3)H]oleic acid with the nuclei. L-FABP complexed with unlabeled oleic acid decreased the nuclear association of [(3)H]oleic acid:L-FABP; however, oleic acid-saturated bovine serum albumin (BSA) or fatty acid-free L-FABP did not. The peroxisome-proliferating agents LY171883, bezafibrate, and WY-14,643 were also effective competitors when complexed to L-FABP. Nuclease treatment did not affect the nuclear association of [(3)H]oleic acid:L-FABP; however, proteinase treatment of the nuclei abolished the binding. Nuclei incubated with fluorescein-conjugated L-FABP in the presence of oleic acid were highly fluorescent whereas no fluorescence was observed in reactions lacking oleic acid, suggesting that L-FABP itself was binding to the nuclei. The nuclear binding of FABP was concentration dependent, saturable, and competitive. LY189585, a ligand for L-FABP, also facilitated the nuclear binding of fluorescein-conjugated L-FABP, although it was less potent than oleic acid. A structural analog that does not bind L-FABP, LY163443, was relatively inactive in stimulating the nuclear binding. Potential interactions between L-FABP and nuclear proteins were analyzed by Far-Western blotting and identified a 33-kDa protein in the 500 mm NaCl extract of rat hepatocyte nuclei that bound strongly to biotinylated L-FABP. Oleic acid enhanced the interaction of L-FABP with the 33-kDa protein as well as other nuclear proteins. We propose that L-FABP is involved in communicating the state of fatty acid metabolism from the cytosol to the nucleus through an interaction with lipid mediators that are involved in nuclear signal transduction.

Synthesis and in vitro biological activity of 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha,12 alpha-diol, a 12alpha-hydroxyl analog of 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol: the latter is a potent activator of the low-density lipoprotein receptor promoter.

4alpha-(2-Propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol (3) was shown recently in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-based low-density lipoprotein receptor/luciferase (LDLR/Luc) assay to be a potent transcriptional activator of the LDL receptor promoter in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. Because of the involvement of 12alpha-hydroxylation in the metabolism of cholesterol, we are interested in investigating the effect of introducing a 12alpha-hydroxyl group to 3 on the transcriptional activity of the LDL receptor promoter. Thus 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha,12a lpha-diol (14), a 12alpha-hydroxyl analog of 3, was synthesized from deoxycholic acid via the formation of 12alpha-[[(tertbutyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-4alpha-( 2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3-one (11). Test results show that 14 is inactive at concentrations of up to 20 microg/ml, compared to 3 with an EC30 value of 2.6 microM, in the CHO cell-based LDLR/Luc assay. Apparently introduction of a 12alpha-hydroxyl group abolishes the capability of 3alpha-sterol 14 to activate the transcription of the LDL receptor promoter. However, in the [1-14C-acetate]cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition assay in CHO cells, 14 at 10 microg/ml (23 microM) is shown to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis by 51% relative to the control cells. Our previous studies indicated that 3 showed a 38% inhibition, but 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol (1) exhibited no inhibition in the same assay at 10 microg/ml. In summary the results indicate that, in addition to the 24,25-unsaturation, the 12alpha-hydroxyl group in 14 has also conferred an inhibitory effect on cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells; however, the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis by 14 does not lead to the transcriptional activation of the LDL receptor promoter.

Synthesis and in vitro biological activity of 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol: a 24,25-dehydro analog of the hypocholesterolemic agent 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol.

4Alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol (LY295427) was previously identified from a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-based low density lipoprotein receptor/luciferase (LDLR/Luc) assay to be a potent transcriptional activator of the LDL receptor promoter in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. To investigate the effect of the 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain (desmosterol D-ring side chain) on antagonizing the repressing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol, 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol (17), a 24,25-dehydro analog of LY295427, was thus synthesized from lithocholic acid via the formation of 3alpha-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-4alpha- (2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholan-24-al (15). Test results showed that 17 had an EC30 value of 2.6 microM, comparable to 2.9 microM of LY295427, in the CHO cell-based LDLR/Luc assay in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. Apparently, the built-in 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain of 17 had added little effect to antagonizing the repressing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol. In the [1-14C-acetate]cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition assay, 17 at 10 microg/ml (23 microM) has been shown to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells by 38% relative to the vehicle control; whereas LY295427 showed no inhibition in the same assay in our previous studies. In contrast to LY295427, the built-in 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain of 17 has conferred an inhibitory effect on cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells. In summary, the observed LDL receptor promoter activity of 17 is related to its ability to prevent 25-hydroxycholesterol from exerting the repressing effect via an undetermined mechanism and, in part, to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis.

Estrogen-mediated increases in LDL cholesterol and foam cell-containing lesions in human ApoB100xCETP transgenic mice.

The murine double transgenic mouse expressing both human apoB100 and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), has been used as a model to understand the effects mediated by various therapeutic modalities on serum lipoproteins and on atherosclerotic lesion progression. In the present study the effects of estrogen therapy on serum lipoproteins were investigated after mice were placed on an atherosclerotic diet. The daily oral administration of 20 or 100 microg/kg of 17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol resulted in a significant, dose-dependent increase in LDL cholesterol over a 20-week regimen. These differences were apparent by 6 weeks and further increases were observed through the 20-week period. Although CETP did result in a reduction in total HDL, estrogen did not have any impact on the amount of CETP activity associated with the HDL particles. The significant increase in LDL cholesterol was associated with increases in the amount of apoB100 and B48 and apoE-containing particles. Hepatic apoB message levels, however, were not different between the experimental groups. Although the extent of atherosclerotic lesions was modest, <0.5% of the aortic surface area in the vehicle group, the high-dose estrogen group, showed an increase in lesion area consistent with the elevation in LDL cholesterol. These lesions, primarily restricted to the aortic root and aortic semilunar valves, were more intensely stained with Oil Red O in the high-dose estrogen group when compared with the vehicle controls.

Effects of LY295427, a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor up-regulator, on LDL receptor gene transcription and cholesterol metabolism in normal and hypercholesterolemic hamsters.

The action of LY295427 [(3alpha,4alpha, 5alpha)-4-(2-propenylcholestan-3-ol)], a compound that derepresses low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) expression in a cell-based model, was examined in hamsters. It was found that the compound does not have an effect in normal chow-fed hamsters, in which LDL-R levels are not repressed, but exerts a marked hypocholesterolemic effect (>70% decrease) in cholesterol-coconut oil-fed hamsters, in which LDL-R is repressed. In this model, there is a dose-response for cholesterol lowering with an approximate ED50 value of 40 mg/kg/day and an inverse relationship between serum cholesterol and serum LY295427 levels. LDL-R mRNA is increased (2-fold) and liver cholesterol ester content is decreased (>90%). Unlike the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A reductase inhibitor lovastatin, the decreased serum cholesterol is confined to the non-high-density lipoprotein fraction. Furthermore, LY295427 does not affect cholesterol biosynthesis, and it does not have a significant effect on cholesterol absorption. These data suggest that LY295427 acts in the hypercholesterolemic hamster by derepressing LDL-R transcription, thereby enhancing cholesterol clearance from the blood. The results with LY295427 suggest that compounds that act to increase LDL-R may represent a novel approach in the pharmacotherapy for hypercholesterolemia.

Nafenopin-induced peroxisome proliferation in vitamin A deficient rats.

Induction of peroxisome proliferator responsive genes is thought to be mediated through binding of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) to specific peroxisome proliferator response elements in the upstream region of these genes. Binding of PPAR to the acyl-CoA oxidase promoter requires heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), and subsequent transactivation is strongest when ligands for both PPAR and RXR are present. Therefore, we hypothesized that depletion of ligand for the retinoid receptor would limit the induction of peroxisome proliferation in rats. Hepatic retinol content was reduced by more than 90% by feeding weanling rats a vitamin A deficient (VAD) diet for approximately 3 months. Nafenopin treatment for 7 days induced peroxisomal beta-oxidation 18-fold in VAD rats compared with 16-fold in rats fed a vitamin A sufficient (VAS) diet. Nafenopin induced microsomal laurate hydroxylase and mitochondrial beta-oxidation to comparable rates of specific activity in both VAD and VAS rats. However, the activities in VAD controls were significantly lower than in VAS controls, so the magnitude of the nafenopin-induced increases was greater in the VAD rats. Relative liver weights were increased nearly 2-fold in both VAS and VAD rats treated with nafenopin. Ultrastructural examination of the livers demonstrated that nafenopin increased the number and size of peroxisomes in both VAD and VAS rats. These data demonstrate that rats with severely depleted vitamin A stores remained responsive to the peroxisome proliferator nafenopin. Whether critical retinoid pools that supply RXR ligand (9-cis-retinoic acid) are spared in the vitamin A deficient rats remains to be determined.

Induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Several chemical and pharmacologic agents have been identified as peroxisome proliferators in rodents. Most of these compounds contain a lipophilic backbone linked to an acid moiety, generally a carboxylate. Since ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs share these structural characteristics, their effects on peroxisomal beta-oxidation were examined. Ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and indomethacin caused dose-related increases in peroxisomal beta-oxidation in cultured rat hepatocytes. The dose-response for ibuprofen and flurbiprofen was roughly equivalent to that of clofibric acid, whereas indomethacin was less active. Ibuprofen and flurbiprofen are arylpropionic acids, which are structurally similar to the aryloxyisobutyric acid clofibric acid. Indomethacin differs structurally in that the acid substitution is on an indole ring. This structural difference may be responsible for the difference in activity. Ibuprofen and clofibric acid were also compared in vivo following 2-week dietary administration to rats. Ibuprofen increased relative liver weight and peroxisomal beta-oxidation and reduced serum lipids. Clofibric acid was more active than ibuprofen in vivo, particularly with respect to induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation (16.8-fold vs 3-fold, respectively). The difference in activity of the two compounds in vivo was not consistent with the results in vitro. The disparity in peroxisomal activity of ibuprofen in the two test systems may be related to pharmacokinetic factors which are not present in vitro.

Effects of methapyrilene on DNA synthesis in mice and rats following continuous dietary exposure.

The effects of the antihistamine methapyrilene (MP) on DNA synthesis in rats and mice were investigated. Previous studies have demonstrated a dose response for tumor induction in the rat but no carcinogenic effect in the mouse. To study the role of DNA synthesis in MP carcinogenesis, rats and mice were administered MP at doses of 0, 62.5, 125, 250 or 1000 p.p.m. in the diet for a period of 1-12 weeks. Bromodeoxyuridine was administered continuously using an osmotic minipump during the last week of treatment to provide an index of DNA synthesis. Results demonstrated that in the rat 250 and 1000 p.p.m. MP increased DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner that correlated with the tumor response in previous oncogenic studies. MP at 62.5 p.p.m. did not increase DNA synthesis, indicating a no effect level for cell proliferation and suggesting a no effect level for carcinogenicity by this compound in the rat. MP did not induce DNA synthesis in mice after exposure to 1000 p.p.m. for 12 weeks, nor did it induce changes in serum chemistries or liver histopathology suggestive of overt toxicity as was seen in the rat at 1000 p.p.m. The correlations between labeling index and tumorigenicity in the rat and mouse strongly support a role of cell proliferation in the carcinogenic mechanism of MP.

Effect of the peroxisome proliferator LY171883 on hepatocellular replication in female B6C3F1 mice.

LY171883 was shown to increase the incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas and other proliferative lesions in female B6C3F1 mice. This appeared to be unrelated to the induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary LY171883 for 7 or 94 days on hepatocellular replication using continuous 7-day infusion of bromodeoxyuridine. LY171883 caused a dose-related increase in hepatocyte replication during the first 7 days, with statistical significance in the two higher dose groups. There was no effect on hepatocyte replication after 94 days of treatment. Liver weight and peroxisomal beta-oxidation were increased in the two higher dose groups after 7 and 94 days, indicating there was not a general loss of hepatic responsiveness to LY171883. The data indicate that the hepatocarcinogenesis of LY171883 in female B6C3F1 mice is not associated with sustained replication in the general population of hepatocytes. It is possible that a mitogenic effect of LY171883 exerted on spontaneously initiated cells is involved in the development of the proliferative lesions; however, further work is needed to determine this.

Interaction of LY171883 and other peroxisome proliferators with fatty-acid-binding protein isolated from rat liver.

Fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP) is a 14 kDa protein found in hepatic cytosol which binds and transports fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands throughout the cell. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether LY171883, a leukotriene D4 antagonist, and other peroxisome proliferators bind to FABP and displace an endogenous fatty acid. [3H]Oleic acid was used to monitor the elution of FABP during chromatographic purification. [14C]LY171883 had a similar elution profile when substituted in the purification, indicating a common interaction with FABP. LY171883 and its structural analogue, LY189585, as well as the hypolipidaemic peroxisome proliferators clofibric acid, ciprofibrate, bezafibrate and WY14,643, displaced [3H]oleic acid binding to FABP. Analogues of LY171883 that do not induce peroxisome proliferation only weakly displaced oleate binding. [3H]Ly171883 bound directly to FABP with a Kd of 10.8 microM, compared with a Kd of 0.96 microM for [3H]oleate. LY171883 binding was inhibited by LY189585, clofibric acid, ciprofibrate and bezafibrate. These findings demonstrate that peroxisome proliferators, presumably due to their structural similarity to fatty acids, are able to bind to FABP and displace an endogenous ligand from its binding site. Interaction of peroxisome proliferators with FABP may be involved in perturbations of fatty acid metabolism caused by these agents as well as in the development of the pleiotropic response of peroxisome proliferation.

Effect of the peroxisome proliferator LY171883 on triglyceride accumulation in rats fed a fat-free diet.

LY171883 is a leukotriene D4 antagonist that induces peroxisome proliferation in the rodent liver. Like many peroxisome-proliferating agents, it causes transient lipid accumulation and several other changes in hepatic lipid metabolism. The effect of LY171883 on lipid metabolism was studied further in rats maintained on a fat-free diet. Administration of a fat-free diet for 14 days caused a 5.6-fold increase in liver triglycerides associated with a 3.3-fold increase in fatty acid synthetase. Co-administration of 0.1% LY171883 increased liver triglycerides slightly, whereas 0.3% LY171883 prevented the accumulation of triglycerides. Furthermore, treatment with 0.3% LY171883 reversed the fatty liver in rats pretreated with the fat-free diet for 14 days. Fatty acid synthetase activity increased comparably in all treatment groups, indicating that 0.3% LY171883 did not prevent the lipogenic response to a fat-free diet. In rats treated with 0.3% LY171883, peroxisomal beta-oxidation increased 9.5-fold, mitochondrial beta-oxidation 4.8-fold, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I 1.9-fold, and plasma ketones 3-fold. In the 0.1% dose group the increases in these parameters were smaller. The data indicate that 0.3% LY171883 sufficiently increased mitochondrial and peroxisomal beta-oxidation such that fatty acids generated by lipogenesis were preferentially oxidized rather than esterified to triglycerides. In the 0.1% dose group oxidation was only mildly increased, and the excess fatty acids continued to be esterified.

Hepatocellular DNA synthesis in rats given peroxisome proliferating agents: comparison of WY-14,643 to clofibric acid, nafenopin and LY171883.

The mitogenic effects of peroxisome proliferating agents have been implicated in their carcinogenicity. WY-14,643 stimulates an increase in hepatocellular DNA replication that persists with continued administration, but it is unclear if other peroxisome proliferators share this property. In these studies, WY-14,643 was compared to clofibric acid, nafenopin and LY171883 given to rats in the diet for up to 30 days. DNA replication in the rat liver was quantified by immunohistochemical methods after continuous s.c. infusion of bromodeoxyuridine by osmotic minipump. During the first 7 days of treatment, WY-14,643 (0.1% in diet) and nafenopin (0.05%) increased the percentage of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled hepatocytes to greater than 50%, from 3% in controls. Clofibric acid (0.5%) and LY171883 (0.3%) increased the labeling to approximately 33%. The replicative response to each of the compounds was localized primarily to the periportal region of the liver lobule. The time-course of replication induced by clofibric acid and WY-14,64.3 was examined over 3 day intervals. The peak of replication in response to clofibric acid occurred during days 4-6, whereas the effect of WY-14,643 peaked during days 1-3 and was much greater than clofibric acid. The replicative response to WY-14,643 persisted through 30 days at dietary concentrations of 0.1 and 0.005%. Nafenopin, LY171883 and clofibric acid were without effect on DNA replication on days 28-30 even though the hepatomegaly and induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation persisted. Thus, under the conditions of these experiments, the persistent replicative effect through 30 days was unique to WY-14,643. Although sustained replication in the general population of hepatocytes may be involved in the carcinogenesis of WY-14,643, it does not appear to be a factor in the hepatocarcinogenesis of the other peroxisome proliferators.

Changes in hepatic lipid metabolism associated with lipid accumulation and its reversal in rats given the peroxisome proliferator LY171883.

Dietary administration of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.3% LY171883 to rats for 1 day caused a dose-related increase in hepatic triglycerides. When added to rat liver mitochondria in vitro, LY171883 caused competitive inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1), the rate-limiting enzyme for mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. This effect appears to be involved in the lipid accumulation. The hepatic triglycerides in rats given 0.1% LY171883 increased progressively through 3 months of treatment. In contrast, hepatic triglycerides in high-dose rats returned to control levels by Day 3 and remained there throughout the study. The regression of the lipid corresponded with increases in hepatic peroxisomal beta-oxidation, mitochondrial beta-oxidation, and CPT-1 activity of up to 13-, 7-, and 3.2-fold, respectively. The 0.1% dose increased these parameters modestly compared to those of high-dose rats (2-, 3-, and 1.6-fold, respectively). Addition of LY171883 to mitochondria from rats given dietary treatment for 2 weeks inhibited CPT-I by the same percentage as in control mitochondria. In mid-dose rats, the induction of CPT-I was largely negated by LY171883 in vitro. Even with the inhibition, CPT-I activity in mitochondria from high-dose rats remained 2-fold higher than that in untreated controls. The data suggest that the induction of CPT-I in high-dose rats was sufficient to overcome the inhibitory action of LY171883. The increased oxidative capacity in peroxisomes and mitochondria led to the regression of the lipid in high-dose rats. The more modest increases in fatty acid oxidation in rats given 0.1% LY171883 were not sufficient to reverse the lipid accumulation.

Effects of chronic treatment with the leukotriene D4-antagonist compound LY171883 on B6C3F1 mice.

A 2-year toxicity/oncogenicity study was done to evaluate the potential effects of the leukotriene antagonist LY171883 in B6C3F1 mice. Dietary concentrations of LY171883 during the initial 7 months of the study were 0.0, 0.005, 0.015, or 0.05% but were increased to 0.0, 0.0075, 0.0225, or 0.075% during Months 7 through 24. The estimated average daily compound intake was 0.0, 7.3, 22.5, or 80.5 mg/kg for males and 0.0, 9.2, 27.5, or 95.9 mg/kg for females. Survival was not adversely affected by treatment, however, body weight of males and females in the high dose group was significantly lower than that of controls. The chronic toxicity was localized primarily to the liver. Liver weights were increased in males in the high dose group and in females in the mid and high dose groups. Microsomal p-nitroanisole-O-demethylase activity was increased in mid and high dose females. Hepatic peroxisomal beta-oxidation was increased approximately twofold in both sexes in the high dose group only. Centrilobular eosinophilic granular change of hepatocytes was a common histopathologic finding in male and female mice in the high dose group, with the incidence and severity being greater in females. An increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas was observed in female mice in the mid and high dose groups. The number of male mice in the high dose group with hepatocellular carcinomas was higher than that of controls but the change was not statistically significant. Hepatocellular adenomas were increased in females in the high dose group but not in males. All groups of treated females had increased nodular hepatocellular hyperplasia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of ciprofibrate, bezafibrate, and LY171883 on peroxisomal beta-oxidation in cultured rat, dog, and rhesus monkey hepatocytes.

Cultured rat hepatocytes have been used extensively to study the mechanisms of chemically induced peroxisome proliferation. Hepatocytes from nonrodent species have been used on a limited scale to study interspecies differences in the response. Because of their importance in pharmaceutical safety assessment, we have developed a model to study the response of beagle dog and rhesus monkey hepatocytes to peroxisome proliferators. Treatment of the hepatocytes with peroxisome proliferators was begun after 20 hr in culture and continued for 72 hr. Untreated rat, dog, and monkey hepatocytes retained 62, 42, and 43% of their initial (20 hr) peroxisomal beta-oxidation activity throughout 92 hr of culture. Ciprofibrate, bezafibrate, and LY171883 caused a dose-related increase in beta-oxidation in rat hepatocytes to a maximum of 10-, 8-, and 5-fold, respectively. In dog and monkey hepatocytes the increases in beta-oxidation were less than 2-fold. Peroxisome morphology in dog and monkey hepatocytes appeared to be unchanged by the drugs. Morphometric analysis in monkey hepatocytes showed no increase in peroxisome volume fraction in response to the chemicals. Treatment of dog and monkey hepatocytes with dexamethasone and glucagon during the final 24 hr in culture caused a 4- to 6-fold increase in tyrosine aminotransferase activity. This induction is characteristic of the in vivo response. The small increase in beta-oxidation reflects the relative insensitivity of the dog and monkey liver to peroxisome proliferators in vivo rather than a loss of sensitivity during culture. Cultured hepatocytes from beagle dog and rhesus monkey may provide a model for studying the mechanisms underlying the interspecies differences. Such information would help clarify the relevance of rodent data in human risk assessment.

Effects of chronic treatment with the leukotriene D4 antagonist compound LY171883 on Fischer 344 rats and rhesus monkeys.

One-year toxicity studies were done to evaluate potential toxic effects associated with chronic exposure of rats and monkeys to the leukotriene antagonist LY171883. Rats were fed dietary doses of 0.0, 0.01, 0.03, or 0.1%, equivalent to approximately 0, 5, 15, or 50 mg/kg of body weight/day. Monkeys were given daily nasogastric gavage doses of 0, 30, 75, or 175 mg/kg of body weight. No treatment-related effects occurred in physical, behavioral, ocular, food consumption, or urinalysis parameters in either species. Mild dose-related hepatotoxicity occurred in rats given approximately 15 or 50 mg/kg of LY171883. The hepatotoxicity was characterized by liver enlargement associated with induction of hepatic peroxisomal beta-oxidation and microsomal drug metabolism. Male rats also had hepatocellular fatty change, centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes, and increased levels of serum alanine transaminase and total bilirubin. Other effects in rats included minimal decreases in hematocrit values, decreases in serum triglycerides and cholesterol, and increased kidney weight. The monkeys tolerated daily oral doses of LY171883 up to 175 mg/kg with only minor increases in hepatic microsomal enzyme activity and slightly increased liver and kidney weights in males. No effects occurred in monkeys given 30 mg/kg. There was no induction of hepatic peroxisomal enzymes or pathologic abnormalities in monkeys treated with LY171883. The peroxisomal inductive effect was apparently a species-related effect separate from the pharmacologic activity of leukotriene antagonism.

Induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation in the rat liver in vivo and in vitro by tetrazole-substituted acetophenones: structure-activity relationships.

LY171883, a leukotriene D4 antagonist in the tetrazole-substituted acetophenone structural class, previously was demonstrated to cause peroxisome proliferation in rodents. In the present studies, several analogs were tested to determine if there are structural requirements for the induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation in the rat liver in vivo and in cultured rat hepatocytes. Liver weight and serum triglycerides also were measured in vivo. The increases in peroxisomal beta-oxidation caused by the tetrazole-substituted acetophenones in vivo ranged from negligible to greater than 17-fold and there was good agreement with the structure-activity relationships found in cultured hepatocytes. N-methylation of the acidic nitrogen of the tetrazole blocked the peroxisomal effects, indicating that the free acid was required for activity. The length of the alkyl chain linked to the tetrazole also influenced the activity of the compounds. However, the more important determinant of peroxisomal activity may be the spatial orientation of the acidic tetrazole with respect to the planar backbone of the molecule. The data indicate there is a target site for peroxisome proliferation in the liver that is able to distinguish between structurally similar analogs. This site appears to be distinct from the leukotriene receptor since both inducers and noninducers of peroxisomal beta-oxidation were shown previously to be potent leukotriene antagonists.