THE ROLE OF CYTOCHROME P450 ISOFORMS OF HEPATOCYTE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM IN ETHANOL METABOLISM

Background. Three metabolic pathways that can function simultaneously are known to be involved in ethanol oxidation in the liver: alcohol dehydrogenase pathway, microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system, and catalase pathway. Though the cytochrome P450-dependent microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system plays an insignificant role in metabolism of small amounts of ethanol, it is induced in case of ethanol excess and becomes essential when ethanol is abused. The main components of this system are cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Objective. To characterize the role of the key isoforms of cytochrome P450 in ethanol oxidation. Material and methods. We carried out an analysis of modern literature data on the role of the main isoforms of cytochrome P450 in liver metabolism of ethanol. Results. Data on the primary role of cytochrome CYP2E1 in ethanol metabolism, as well as on the contribution of isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C, CYP3A4, CYP4B1 to ethanol oxidation are presented. Conclusions. Ethanol is metabolized by many CYPs of endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. The importance of CYP in biotransformation processes in the liver necessitates the study of the role of individual CYP isoforms in ethanol metabolism for predicting changes in the pharmacokinetics of drugs and metabolism of endogenous compounds under the influence of ethanol.

Metabolism of Diterpenoids Derived from the Bark of Cinnamomum cassia in Human Liver Microsomes

Cinnamomum cassia L. is used as a spice and flavoring agent as well as a traditional medicine worldwide. Diterpenoids, a class of compounds present in C. cassia, have various pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antibacterial activities; however, there are insufficient studies on the metabolism of diterpenoids. In this study, the metabolism of seven diterpenoids, namely, anhydrocinnzeylanol, anhydrocinnzeylanine (AHC), cinncassiol A, cinncassiol B, cinnzeylanol, cinnzeylanone, and cinnzeylanine, obtained from the bark of C. cassia was studied in human liver microsomes (HLMs). All studied diterpenoids, except for AHC, exhibited strong metabolic stability; however, AHC was rapidly metabolized to 3% in HLMs in the presence of β-NADPH. Using a high-resolution quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer, 20 metabolites were identified as dehydrogenated metabolites (M1–M3), dehydrogenated and oxidated metabolites (M4–M10), mono-oxidated metabolites (M11–M13), or dioxidated metabolites (M14–M20). In addition, CYP isoforms involved in AHC metabolism were determined by profiling metabolites produced after incubation in 11 recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP isoforms. Thus, the diterpenoid compound AHC was identified in a metabolic pathway involving CYP3A4 in HLMs.

Cytochrome P450-dependent biotransformation capacities in embryonic, juvenile and adult stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio)—a state-of-the-art review

Given the strong trend to implement zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos as translational model not only in ecotoxicological, but also toxicological testing strategies, there is an increasing need for a better understanding of their capacity for xenobiotic biotransformation. With respect to the extrapolation of toxicological data from zebrafish embryos to other life stages or even other organisms, qualitative and quantitative differences in biotransformation pathways, above all in cytochrome P450-dependent (CYP) phase I biotransformation, may lead to over- or underestimation of the hazard and risk certain xenobiotic compounds may pose to later developmental stages or other species. This review provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of the scientific knowledge on the development of the CYP1-4 families and corresponding phase I biotransformation and bioactivation capacities in zebrafish. A total of 68 publications dealing with spatiotemporal CYP mRNA expression patterns, activities towards mammalian CYP-probe substrates, bioactivation and detoxification activities, as well as metabolite profiling were analyzed and included in this review. The main results allow for the following conclusions: (1) Extensive work has been done to document mRNA expression of CYP isoforms from earliest embryonic stages of zebrafish, but juvenile and adult zebrafish have been largely neglected so far. (2) There is insufficient understanding of how sex- and developmental stage-related differences in expression levels of certain CYP isoforms may impact biotransformation and bioactivation capacities in the respective sexes and in different developmental stages of zebrafish. (3) Albeit qualitatively often identical, many studies revealed quantitative differences in metabolic activities of zebrafish embryos and later developmental stages. However, the actual relevance of age-related differences on the outcome of toxicological studies still needs to be clarified. (4) With respect to current remaining gaps, there is still an urgent need for further studies systematically assessing metabolic profiles and capacities of CYP isoforms in zebrafish. Given the increasing importance of Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) concepts, an improved understanding of CYP capacities appears essential for the interpretation and outcome of (eco)toxicological studies.

Computational Prediction of Metabolites of Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines by CYP2A13

<div>A computational approach for the prediction of tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) metabolites by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) has been developed that currently predicts all of the known CYP2A13 metabolites of nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK), N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) resulting from hydroxylations and heteroatom oxidations reported in metabolomics literature. This computational approach integrates 1) machine learning models trained on quantum-mechanically-derived molecular surface properties for a set of CYP substrates with known metabolites to identify sites of metabolism across CYP isoforms and 2) validation of machine learning predictions using ensemble docking of the TSNA parent molecules into CYP2A13’s binding site to identify the most likely TSNA reactive atoms. This method is generalizable to any CYP isoform for which there is structural information, opening the door to the prediction of P450-based metabolite prediction, as well as prediction and rationalization of metabolomics data.</div>

Computational Prediction of Metabolites of Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines by CYP2A13

<div>A computational approach for the prediction of tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) metabolites by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) has been developed that currently predicts all of the known CYP2A13 metabolites of nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK), N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) resulting from hydroxylations and heteroatom oxidations reported in metabolomics literature. This computational approach integrates 1) machine learning models trained on quantum-mechanically-derived molecular surface properties for a set of CYP substrates with known metabolites to identify sites of metabolism across CYP isoforms and 2) validation of machine learning predictions using ensemble docking of the TSNA parent molecules into CYP2A13’s binding site to identify the most likely TSNA reactive atoms. This method is generalizable to any CYP isoform for which there is structural information, opening the door to the prediction of P450-based metabolite prediction, as well as prediction and rationalization of metabolomics data.</div>

The Development and Validation of a Novel “Dual Cocktail” Probe for Cytochrome P450s and Transporter Functions to Evaluate Pharmacokinetic Drug-Drug and Herb-Drug Interactions

This study was designed to develop and validate a 10 probe drug cocktail named “Dual Cocktail”, composed of caffeine (Cyp1a2 in rat and CYP1A2 in human, 1 mg/kg), diclofenac (Cyp2c11 in rat and CYP2C9 in human, 2 mg/kg), omeprazole (Cyp2c11 in rat and CYP2C19 in human, 2 mg/kg), dextromethorphan (Cyp2d2 in rat and CYP2D6 in human, 10 mg/kg), nifedipine (Cyp3a1 in rat and CYP3A4 in human, 0.5 mg/kg), metformin (Oct1/2 in rat and OCT1/2 in human, 0.5 mg/kg), furosemide (Oat1/3 in rat and OAT1/3 in human, 0.1 mg/kg), valsartan (Oatp2 in rat and OATP1B1/1B3 in human, 0.2 mg/kg), digoxin (P-gp in rat and human, 2 mg/kg), and methotrexate (Mrp2 in rat and MRP2 in human, 0.5 mg/kg), for the evaluation of pharmacokinetic drug–drug and herb-drug interactions through the modulation of a representative panel of CYP enzymes or transporters in rats. To ensure no interaction among the ten probe substrates, we developed a 2-step evaluation protocol. In the first step, the pharmacokinetic properties of five individual CYP probe substrates and five individual transporter substrates were compared with the pharmacokinetics of five CYP cocktail or five transporters cocktails in two groups of randomly assigned rats. Next, a pharmacokinetic comparison was conducted between the CYP or transporter cocktail group and the dual cocktail group, respectively. None of the ten comparison groups was found to be statistically significant, indicating the CYP and transporter substrate sets or dual cocktail set could be concomitantly administered in rats. The “Dual Cocktail” was further validated by assessing the metabolism of nifedipine and omeprazole, which was significantly reduced by a single oral dose of ketoconazole (10 mg/kg); however, no changes were observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters of other probe substrates. Additionally, multiple oral doses of rifampin (20 mg/kg) reduced the plasma concentrations of nifedipine and digoxin, although not any of the other substrates. In conclusion, the dual cocktail can be used to characterize potential pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions by simultaneously monitoring the activity of multiple CYP isoforms and transporters.

β-Naphthoflavone and Ethanol Reverse Mitochondrial Dysfunction in A Parkinsonian Model of Neurodegeneration

The 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) is a parkinsonian-inducing toxin that promotes neurodegeneration of dopaminergic cells by directly targeting complex I of mitochondria. Recently, it was reported that some Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, such as CYP 2D6 or 2E1, may be involved in the development of this neurodegenerative disease. In order to study a possible role for CYP induction in neurorepair, we designed an in vitro model where undifferentiated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were treated with the CYP inducers β-naphthoflavone (βNF) and ethanol (EtOH) before and during exposure to the parkinsonian neurotoxin, MPP+. The toxic effect of MPP+ in cell viability was rescued with both βNF and EtOH treatments. We also report that this was due to a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, restoration of mitochondrial fusion kinetics, and mitochondrial membrane potential. These treatments also protected complex I activity against the inhibitory effects caused by MPP+, suggesting a possible neuroprotective role for CYP inducers. These results bring new insights into the possible role of CYP isoenzymes in xenobiotic clearance and central nervous system homeostasis.