Does dihydromyricetin impact on alcohol metabolism.

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a natural flavonoid showing several health promoting effects such as protective activity during severe alcohol intoxication. The mechanism underlying the effects of DHM on alcohol metabolism is virtually unknown. The present paper is focused on clarifying the role of DHM in the liver alcohol elimination at its molecular level. First, impact of DHM on alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity in vitro and the enzyme induction in vivo was examined. Neither the ADH activity nor the enzyme expression were influenced by DHM. Next, the effect of DHM during alcohol intoxication were studied on primary hepatocytes isolated from EtOH-premedicated and untreated rats. The viability of cells exposed to alcohol, estimated based on the released enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), was slightly affected by DHM. Although the expected hepatoprotective effect of DHM was not fully achieved, DHM (in a concentration manner) proved to reduce the level of ROS/RNS in hepatocytes. However, no change in the rate of alcohol metabolism in vivo was found when rats were administered with a single or repeated dose of ethanol supplemented with DHM. In conclusion, the proposed positive effect of DHM during alcohol intoxication has not been proven. Moreover, there is no effect of DHM on the alcohol metabolism. The "hoped-for" DHM hepatoprotective activity can be attributed to the reduction of ROS/RNS levels in cells.

Chemopreventive compounds--view from the other side.

Increasing attention is being paid to the possibility of applying chemopreventive agents for the protection of individuals from cancer risk. The beneficial potential of chemoprotective compounds is usually well documented by extensive experimental data. To assure the desired effect, these compounds are frequently concentrated to produce dietary supplements for human use. The additive and synergistic effects of other food constituents are, however, frequently ignored. Even natural chemopreventive compounds have to be considered as xenobiotics. Thus, as much attention has to be paid to their testing prior to their wide application as is usual in drug development for human treatment. Unfortunately, much of the research in this area is solely based on simplified in vitro systems that cannot take into account the complexity of biotransformation processes, e.g. chemopreventive compound-drug interaction, effect on metabolism of endogenic compounds. Hence, the predicted chemopreventive potential is not attained in respect of cancer prevention; moreover, the administration of high doses of chemopreventive compounds might be even detrimental for the human health.

Rabbit liver microsomal system: study of interaction with two model N-nitrosamines and their metabolism.

Rabbit liver microsomes of control (non-treated) or animals induced either by ethanol (EtOH) or phenobarbital (PB) were incubated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) or N-nitrosomethylaniline (NMA). Difference spectroscopy showed that NMA is bound to the substrate-binding site of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoforms as heme ligand in control and EtOH pre-treated microsomes. On the other hand, PB-induced microsomes exhibit with NMA substrate type of spectra. NDMA does not provide any type of binding spectra with used microsomal systems. Oxidative bio-activation of N-nitrosamines by the microsomal CYP isoforms was measured as formaldehyde formation. Analysis of reaction kinetics in control microsomes revealed, for both substrates, two values of Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) for, K(m) values of 0.03 and 0.13 mmol/l for NDMA, and 0.30 and 0.82 mmol/l for NMA. Induction of animals with EtOH resulted in a decrease in the K(m) value for both substrates. In contrast, PB treatment caused an elevation of K(m) value for NDMA. Based on these data, we conclude that EtOH-inducible microsomal CYP isoforms (mainly CYP2E1) are responsible for binding and N-demethylation metabolism of both studied N-nitrosamines in rabbit liver microsomal system. The role of the other CYP isoforms involved in the metabolism of mentioned N-nitrosamines is discussed.

Evaluation of comparative cytochrome P450 2B4 model by photoaffinity labeling.

A homology model of rabbit CYP 2B4 was constructed on the basis of the crystallographic structure of truncated mammalian CYP 2C5/3 and bacterial soluble CYPs. To validate the CYP 2B4 homology model photoaffinity labeling was employed. Three probes (I-III) containing a photo-labile azido-group and an amino-group on opposite ends of the molecule were designed for photoaffinity labeling of the CYP 2B4 in increasing distance from the heme iron. Spectroscopic data proved probes I (the shortest) and II (a middle sized) to be coordinated with the heme iron via their amino-groups in the enzyme active center while the probe III (the longest) was not bound in this way. This binding orientation of probes I and II is in accordance with the model predicting ion-pairing of the negatively charged side chain of CYP 2B4 Asp 105 and a positively charged nitrogen located in an appropriate position in structures of probes I and II, only. The lack of heme binding of the probe III is clear from its docking into the CYP 2B4 model since no Asp 105 ion-pairing is possible. The target of photoactivated probe II, Arg 197, in a distance of about 16.5 A from the heme iron, exactly matches the position of that amino acid residue, predicted from the CYP 2B4 homology model. Moreover, using this technique, a substrate access channel has been identified. To assess the predicted substrate-binding pocket, an interaction of a specific CYP 2B4 substrate, diamantane, was examined. In "silico" docking revealed strong binding of diamantane in an orientation allowing experimentally observed C4-hydroxylation. Our homology model of CYP 2B4 is thus consistent with experimental metabolic and photoaffinity labeling data.

alpha-Naphthoflavone acts as activator and reversible or irreversible inhibitor of rabbit microsomal CYP3A6.

This report describes the effect of alpha-naphthoflavone (alpha-NF), a known substrate, inhibitor and activator of several cytochromes P450 (CYP), on rabbit CYP3A6. Hepatic microsomes of rabbit pretreated with rifampicine (RIF), enriched with CYP3A6, as well as purified CYP3A6 reconstituted with isolated NADPH:CYP reductase were used as enzymatic systems in this study. The data from difference spectroscopy experiments showed that alpha-NF does yield a type I binding spectrum. This compound is oxidized by microsomal CYP3A6 into two metabolites (5,6-epoxide and trans-7,8-dihydrodiol). While alpha-NF is a substrate of CYP3A6, it also acts as an enzyme modulator. Under the conditions used, stimulation of 17beta-estradiol 2-hydroxylation by alpha-NF was observed. In contrast, this compound reversibly inhibited N-demethylation of erythromycin and tamoxifen, competitively with respect to these substrates, having the K(i) values of 51.5 and 18.0 microM, respectively. Moreover, alpha-NF was found to be an effective inactivator of progesterone and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation catalyzed by CYP3A6 in RIF-microsomes. In addition, time- and concentration-dependent inactivation of human CYP3A4-mediated 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by alpha-NF, was determined. The inactivation of CYP3A6 followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and was dependent on both NADPH and alpha-NF. The concentrations required for half-maximal inactivation (K(i)) were 80.1 and 108.5 microM and the times required for half of the enzyme to be inactivated were 10.0 and 11.9 min for 6beta-hydroxylation of progesterone and testosterone, respectively. The loss of the enzyme activity was not recovered following dialysis, while 90% of the ability to form a reduced CO complex remained. This indicates the binding of alpha-NF to a CYP apoprotein molecule rather than to a heme moiety. Protection from inactivation was seen in the presence of all tested CYP3A substrates. Progesterone and testosterone protected CYP3A6 against inactivation competitively with respect to inactivator, erythromycin non-competitively and 17beta-estradiol showed a mixed type of protection. Here, we described for the first time that alpha-NF is capable of irreversible inhibition of microsomal rabbit CYP3A6 and human CYP3A4. The obtained results strongly suggest that the CYP3A active center contains at least two and probably three distinct binding sites for substrates.

Evaluation of 3-azidiamantane as photoaffinity probe of cytochrome P450.

3-azidiamantane (DIA-N2) has been shown to be a photolabile carbene-generating probe interacting specifically with cytochrome P450 (P450) active centre. To evaluate the modification of P450 by the probe, radiolabelled [9-3H]-3-azidiamantane was prepared by reductive dehalogenation of its precursor, 3-oxo-9-bromodiamantane ethylene ketal. The synthesis was optimized as the proper precursor and reaction conditions were concerned to produce 96% pure product (overall yield 59%). An incorporation efficacy of the probe photoactivated at 366 nm was examined with two different proteins, BSA and rat phenobarbital-inducible P450 2B1, both having hydrophobic binding sites. Under photolysis the photoaffinity probe generated short-lived (> 90%) intermediates binding immediately to the protein. The yield of photoactivated DIA-N2 incorporation was 12% and 11% for BSA and P450, respectively. The presence of reduced glutathione, a scavenger of reactive intermediates, did not affect the probe incorporation markedly. On the other hand, scavengers entering the P450 active centre, methanol and dithiothreitol, reduced the protein labelling by 36% and 42%, respectively. Similarly, at DIA-N2, aminopyrine (substrates), and metyrapone (inhibitor) 50 times molar excess over the probe, prevented its binding by about 40%. In addition, when photoaffinity labelling was carried out with microsomal preparation, the substrate with a high affinity for the P450 2B1, diamantane, (at 20 times molar excess to the probe) caused 47% inhibition of the P450 covalent labelling. These results, suggesting a high specificity of the probe binding, show that it can be applied as a photoaffinity probe for cytochrome P450 2B1 active centre studies.

Heterobifunctional photoaffinity probes for cytochrome P450 2B.

Three heterobifunctional photoaffinity probes, N-(p-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl-p-aminobenzylamine (I), N-(p-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl-p-aminophenethylamine (II), and N-(p-azidophenethyl)-N-methyl-p-aminophenethylamine (III), were synthesized and characterized. These probes, containing a photolabile azido-group and an amino-group on opposite sides of the molecule, were designed for photoaffinty labeling of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B active site cavity differing in distance from the heme iron. Spectroscopic studies proved that probes I and II coordinated with the heme iron via their amino-group in the enzyme active center, whereas probe III did not. This result in conjunction with data from kinetic studies suggests probes I and II are appropriate for photoaffinity labeling of the CYP 2B active center. Thus, probe II was used to identify amino acid residues within a distance of the probe length (about 16.5 A) from the heme. Analysis of a Lys-C digest of the probe II-labeled CYP 2B4 revealed a single labeled hexapeptide corresponding to position 192-197 of the CYP 2B4 sequence. Using postsource decay/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight, Arg197 was identified as a probe II target. The location of the labeled site in three-dimensional structures of bacterial CYPs and in CYP 2B homology models is discussed.

Identification and characterization of cytochrome P4501A1 amino acid residues interacting with a radiolabeled photoaffinity diazido-benzphetamine analogue.

The photolabile benzphetamine analogue N-(p-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl-p-azidophenetylamine (N3-BP-N3) and its tritiated derivative were synthesized and used as photoaffinity ligands for P4501A1 substrate binding. The enzymatic activity of P4501A1 toward ethoxycoumarin was competitively inhibited by N3-BP-N3. After irradiation with UV light a radioactive photolysis product remained bound to P4501A1. After large scale labeling in the absence and in the presence of alpha-naphthoflavone, P-450 was digested with 1-p-tosyl-amino-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone-treated trypsin and the resultant peptide fragments were separated with HPLC on a reverse-phase column. Six peptides with increased levels of incorporated radioactivity were detected and from a competition experiment in the presence of the inhibitor, four of them could be tentatively assigned as involved in substrate interaction. Amino acid sequences were determined and compared with the primary P-4501A1 sequence. N3-BP-N3 can bind amino acid residues through both ends of the molecule and, therefore, crosslinked peptides could be identified. Alignment of the primary structure of cytochrome P4501A1 with that of cytochrome P450102 revealed that two of the isolated crosslinked peptides can be placed in the vicinity of heme (in the L helix region and beta10-beta11 sheet region of cytochrome P450102) and could be involved in substrate binding. The other two peptides were located on the surface of the protein with the label bound specifically to Lys residues that were predicted to be involved in reductase-P450 interaction.

Probing the cytochrome P-450 2B1 active site with diamantoid compounds.

Hydrocarbone diamantane has been shown to be a specific substrate with a high affinity for the binding site of PB-inducible cytochrome P-450 2B1 (Hodek et al. 1988). Using a difference spectroscopy approach, a battery of diamantane analogues and diamantane oxygen containing derivatives were examined for their interaction with P-450 2B1 active site. Of the compounds (diamantane and its analogues, adamantane and triamantane) tested, diamantane had the lowest value of a spectral dissociation constant Ks = 0.5 mumol/l, indicating that diamantane was accommodated well to the cytochrome P-450 2B1, hence values of 0.46 nm and 0.66 nm for the width and length of the diamantane molecule, respectively, were used to describe of the dimensions the cytochrome P-450 binding site. Adamantane (Ks = 1.3 mumol/l) is relatively small and thus it binds loosely whereas triamantane (Ks = 4.3 mumol/l) is bulky enough to fit the binding site. This conclusion has been confirmed by spectral competition experiments as well as metabolic studies. Of all oxygen containing derivatives diamantane 1,6-dicarboxylic acid dimethylester only exhibited a pronounced ligand interaction with cytochrome P-450. Using molecular dimensions of this derivative the distance of 0.56 nm from the heme iron to the center of the substrate binding site was estimated.

Metabolism of diamantane by rat liver microsomal cytochromes P-450.

1. Diamantane binds to liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats with an apparent Ks value of 5.2 x 10(-7) mol/l. This value being lower than that obtained for perhydrophenanthrene indicates that diamantane is very strongly bound to microsomal cytochrome P-450. 2. Metabolic studies show that liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats readily metabolize diamantane to mono-, di- and possibly tri-hydroxy derivatives, whereas liver microsomes from beta-naphthoflavone-induced rats do not bind this hydrocarbon or metabolize it. 3. Reconstituted cytochromes P-450 b and e were more efficient in the hydroxylation of diamantane than liver microsomes; metabolites formed by the reconstituted system do not include all the products formed by microsomes, which indicates the involvement of forms of cytochrome P-450 other than the isozymes b and e.

The first identification of the benzenediazonium ion formation from a non-aminoazo dye, 1-phenylazo-2-hydroxynaphthalene (Sudan I) by microsomes of rat livers.

1-Phenylazo-2-hydroxynaphthalene (Sudan I) is converted by microsomal enzymes of rat livers in vitro to 5 products. Hepatic microsomes from 5,6-benzoflavone-treated rats are more effective for the metabolism of Sudan I than those from phenobarbital- or Sudan I alone-treated rats. Major products formed by microsomes are identified as the ring-hydroxyderivatives of benzene and naphthalene rings. The formation of the benzenediazonium ion evolved by oxidative splitting of the azo group of Sudan I by microsomal enzymes is also proved. The oxidative splitting of Sudan I by microsomal enzymes may be considered as the possible mechanism of the Sudan I activation to the ultimate carcinogen (benzenediazonium ion).

A new way to carcinogenicity of azo dyes: the benzenediazonium ion formed from a non-aminoazo dye, 1-phenylazo-2-hydroxynaphthalene(Sudan I) by microsomal enzymes binds to deoxyguanosine residues of DNA.

1-Phenylazo-2-hydroxynaphthalene (Sudan I) activated by pre-incubation with microsomal enzymes of rat livers covalently binds to DNA from calf thymus. Benzenediazonium ion formed from Sudan I by activation with microsomal enzymes is the principal active metabolite, which binds to DNA. Enzymatic hydrolysis of modified (14C-labelled) DNA, followed by separation of deoxynucleosides on a Sephadex G-10 column revealed that deoxyguanosine is the principal target for the binding of activated Sudan I. The high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis indicate that probably more than one radioactive adduct of activated Sudan I with deoxyguanosine is formed.

Purification of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 by chromatography on immobilized adamantane with a new method of detergent removal.

A method for the isolation of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 from phenobarbital-treated rats is described which is based on chromatography on 1-adamantane-carbonyl-aminohexyl-Sepharose 4B, subsequent ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and detergent removal by adsorption on silica gel G. The method gives preparations with high electrophoretic homogeneity which correspond to a major phenobarbital-inducible form of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450. The advantages of the procedure described are high yields, stability of chromatographic material, effective and simple method of detergent removal.