Inhibition of the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase by diethyl maleate and phorone in vivo and in vitro. Implications for formaldehyde metabolism.

Formaldehyde can be oxidized primarily by two different enzymes, the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase and the cytosolic GSH-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of diethyl maleate or phorone, agents that deplete GSH from the liver, on the oxidation of formaldehyde. The addition of diethyl maleate or phorone to intact mitochondria or to disrupted mitochondrial fractions produced inhibition of formaldehyde oxidation. The kinetics of inhibition of the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase were mixed. Mitochondria isolated from rats treated in vivo with diethyl maleate or phorone had a decreased capacity to oxidize either formaldehyde or acetaldehyde. The activity of the low-Km, but not the high-Km, mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase was also inhibited. The production of CO2 plus formate from 0.2 mM-[14C]formaldehyde by isolated hepatocytes was only slightly inhibited (15-30%) by incubation with diethyl maleate or addition of cyanamide, suggesting oxidation primarily via formaldehyde dehydrogenase. However, the production of CO2 plus formate was increased 2.5-fold when the concentration of [14C]formaldehyde was raised to 1 mM. This increase in product formation at higher formaldehyde concentrations was much more sensitive to inhibition by diethyl maleate or cyanamide, suggesting an important contribution by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase. Thus diethyl maleate and phorone, besides depleting GSH, can also serve as effective inhibitors in vivo or in vitro of the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase. Inhibition of formaldehyde oxidation by these agents could be due to impairment of both enzyme systems known to be capable of oxidizing formaldehyde. It would appear that a critical amount of GSH, e.g. 90%, must be depleted before the activity of formaldehyde dehydrogenase becomes impaired.     

Effect of acetaldehyde and cyanamide on the metabolism of formaldehyde by hepatocytes, mitochondria, and soluble supernatant from rat liver

Formaldehyde can be metabolized primarily by two different pathways, one involving oxidation by the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, the other involving a specific, glutathione-dependent, formaldehyde dehydrogenase. To estimate the roles played by each enzyme in formaldehyde metabolism by rat hepatocytes, experiments with acetaldehyde and cyanamide, a potent inhibitor of the low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase were carried out. The glutathione-dependent oxidation of formaldehyde by 100,000g rat liver supernatant fractions was not affected by either acetaldehyde or by cyanamide. By contrast, the uptake of formaldehyde by intact mitochondria was inhibited 75 to 90% by cyanamide. Acetaldehyde inhibited the uptake of formaldehyde by mitochondria in a competitive fashion. Formaldehyde was a weak inhibitor of the oxidation of acetaldehyde by mitochondria, suggesting that, relative to formaldehyde, acetaldehyde was a preferred substrate. In isolated hepatocytes, cyanamide, which inhibited the oxidation of acetaldehyde by 75 to 90%, produced only 30 to 50% inhibition of formaldehyde uptake by cells as well as of the production of 14CO2 and of formate from [14C]formaldehyde. The extent of inhibition by cyanamide was the same as that produced by acetaldehyde (30-40%). In the presence of cyanamide, acetaldehyde was no longer inhibitory, suggesting that acetaldehyde and cyanamide may act at the same site(s) and inhibit the same formaldehyde-oxidizing enzyme system. These results suggest that, in rat hepatocytes, formaldehyde is oxidized by cyanamide- and acetaldehyde-sensitive (low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase) and insensitive (formaldehyde dehydrogenase) reactions, and that both enzymes appear to contribute about equally toward the overall metabolism of formaldehyde.     

Inhibition of the oxidation of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde by hepatocytes and mitochondria by crotonaldehyde

Crotonaldehyde was oxidized by disrupted rat liver mitochondrial fractions or by intact mitochondria at rates that were only 10 to 15% that of acetaldehyde. Although a poor substrate for oxidation, crotonaldehyde is an effective inhibitor of the oxidation of acetaldehyde by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, by intact mitochondria, and by isolated hepatocytes. Inhibition by crotonaldehyde was competitive with respect to acetaldehyde, and the Ki for crotonaldehyde was about 5 to 20 microM. Crotonaldehyde had no effect on the oxidation of glutamate or succinate. Very low levels of acetaldehyde were detected during the metabolism of ethanol. Crotonaldehyde increased the accumulation of acetaldehyde more than 10-fold, indicating that crotonaldehyde, besides inhibiting the oxidation of added acetaldehyde, also inhibited the oxidation of acetaldehyde generated by the metabolism of ethanol. Formaldehyde was a substrate for the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, as well as for a cytosolic, glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase. Crotonaldehyde was a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial oxidation of formaldehyde, but had no effect on the activity of formaldehyde dehydrogenase. In hepatocytes, crotonaldehyde produced about 30 to 40% inhibition of formaldehyde oxidation, which was similar to the inhibition produced by cyanamide. This suggested that part of the formaldehyde oxidation occurred via the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, and part via formaldehyde dehydrogenase. The fact that inhibition by crotonaldehyde is competitive may be of value since other commonly used inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase are irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme.     

Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity as the rate-limiting factor for acetaldehyde metabolism in rat liver

The velocity of acetaldehyde metabolism in rat liver may be governed either by the rate of regeneration of NAD from NADH through the electron transport system or by the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Measurements of oxygen consumption revealed that the electron transport system was capable of reoxidizing ALDH-generated NADH much faster than it was produced and hence was not rate-limiting for aldehyde metabolism. To confirm that ALDH activity was the rate-limiting factor, low-Km ALDH in slices or intact mitochondria was partially inhibited by treatment with cyanamide and the rate of acetaldehyde metabolism measured. Any inhibition of low-Km ALDH resulted in a decreased rate of acetaldehyde metabolism, indicating that no excess of low-Km ALDH existed. Approximately 40% of the metabolism of 200 microM acetaldehyde in slices was not catalyzed by low-Km ALDH. Fifteen of this 40% was catalyzed by high-Km ALDH. A possible contribution by aldehyde oxidase was ruled out through the use of a competitive inhibitor, quinacrine. Acetaldehyde binding to cytosolic proteins may account for the remainder. By measuring acetaldehyde accumulation during ethanol metabolism, it was also established that low-Km ALDH activity was rate-limiting for acetaldehyde oxidation during concomitant ethanol oxidation.     

Inhibition of CO2 production from aminopyrine or methanol by cyanamide or crotonaldehyde and the role of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase in formaldehyde oxidation

Previous results have shown that cyanamide or crotonaldehyde are effective inhibitors of the oxidation of formaldehyde by the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, but do not affect the activity of the glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase. These compounds were used to evaluate the enzyme pathways responsible for the oxidation of formaldehyde generated during the metabolism of aminopyrine or methanol by isolated hepatocytes. Both cyanamide and crotonaldehyde inhibited the production of 14CO2 from 14C-labeled aminopyrine by 30-40%. These agents caused an accumulation of formaldehyde which was identical to the loss in CO2 production, indicating that the inhibition of CO2 production reflected an inhibition of formaldehyde oxidation. The oxidation of methanol was stimulated by the addition of glyoxylic acid, which increases the rate of H2O2 generation. Crotonaldehyde inhibited CO2 production from methanol, but caused a corresponding increase in formaldehyde accumulation. The partial sensitivity of CO2 production to inhibition by cyanamide or crotonaldehyde suggests that both the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase and formaldehyde dehydrogenase contribute towards the metabolism of formaldehyde which is generated from mixed-function oxidase activity or from methanol, just as both enzyme systems contribute towards the metabolism of exogenously added formaldehyde.     

Amidino-substituted aromatic heterocycles as probes of the specificity pocket of trypsin-like proteases.

The effect of pargyline on the uptake of acetaldehyde (in the presence of pyrazole) by isolated rat liver cells was studied after incubating the liver cells for 0, 10, 30, 45, and 60 min with 0.40, 1.30, and 2.6 mm pargyline. Without any incubation period, pargyline had no effect on acetaldehyde uptake. With increasing time of incubation, there was a progressive increase in the extent of inhibition of acetaldehyde uptake by pargyline. This suggests the possibility that pargyline is metabolized to the effective inhibitor or the incubation period allows pargyline to reach its site(s) of action. Pargyline was also a more effective inhibitor of the uptake of lower concentrations of acetaldehyde, e.g., 0.167 mm, than of higher concentrations (1.0 mm) of acetaldehyde, especially after short incubation periods or when pyrazole was omitted from the reaction medium. After a 20- to 30-min incubation period, pargyline inhibited the control rate of ethanol oxidation by the liver cells, as well as the accelerated rate of ethanol oxidation found in the presence of pyruvate or an uncoupling agent. Pargyline had no effect on hepatic oxygen consumption. During ethanol oxidation, a time-dependent release of acetaldehyde into the medium was observed. Pyruvate, by increasing the rate of ethanol oxidation, increased the output of acetaldehyde five- to tenfold. Pargyline increased the output of acetaldehyde two- to threefold, despite decreasing the rate of ethanol metabolism by the liver cells. These data indicate that pargyline inhibits the low K_m aldehyde dehydrogenase in intact rat liver cells and that this enzyme plays the major role in oxidizing the acetaldehyde which arises during the metabolism of ethanol. Although most of the acetaldehyde generated during the oxidation of ethanol is removed by the liver cells in an effective manner, changes in the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase or the rate of acetaldehyde generation significantly alter the hepatic output of acetaldehyde.     

A comparative study of aldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase activities in crucian carp and three other vertebrates: apparent adaptations to ethanol production

Summary In the final step of the pathway producing ethanol in anoxic crucian carp (Carassius carassius L.), acetaldehyde is reduced to ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase. The presence of aldehyde dehydrogenase in the tissues responsible for ethanol production could cause an undesired oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetate coupled with a reduction of NAD⁺ to NADH. Moreover, acetaldehyde could competitively inhibit the oxidation of reactive biogenic aldehydes. In the present study, the distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase (measured with a biogenic aldehyde) and alcohol dehydrogenase (measured with acetaldehyde) were studied in organs of crucian carp, common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson), and Norwegian rat (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout). The results showed that alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were almost completely spatially separated in the crucian carp. These enzymes occurred together in the other three vertebrates. In the crucian carp, alcohol dehydrogenase was only found in red and white skeletal muscle, while these tissues contained exceptionally low aldehyde dehydrogenase activities. Moreover, the low aldehyde dehydrogenase activity found in crucian carp red muscle was about 1000 times less sensitive to inhibition by acetaldehyde than that found in other tissues and other species. The results are interpreted as demonstrating adaptations to avoid a depletion of ethanol production, and possibly inhibition of biogenic aldehyde metabolism.Abbreviations ADH alcohol dehydrogenase - ALDH aldehyde dehydrogenase - DOPAL 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde - MAO monoamine oxidase - PCA perchloric acid     

Human placental aldehyde dehydrogenase. Subcellular distribution and properties

Freshly obtained human term placentae were subjected to subcellular fractionation to study the localization of NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases. Optimal conditions for the cross-contamination-free subcellular fractionation were standardized as judged by the presence or the absence of appropriate marker enzymes. Two distinct isozymes, aldehyde dehydrogenase I and II, were detected in placental extracts after isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels. Based on a placental wet weight, about 80% of the total aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was found in the cytosolic acid and about 10% in the mitochondrial fraction. The soluble fraction (cytosol) contained predominantly aldehyde dehydrogenase II which has a relatively high Km (9 mmol/l) for acetaldehyde and is strongly inhibited by disulfiram. The results indicate that cytosol is the main site for acetaldehyde oxidation, but the enzyme activity is too slow to prevent the placental passage of normal concentrations of blood acetaldehyde (less than 1 mumol/l) produced by maternal ethanol metabolism.     

Inhibition of hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenases in the rat by calcium carbimide (calcium cyanamide)

Oral administration of 7.0 mg/kg calcium carbimide (calcium cyanamide, CC) to the rat produced differential inhibition of hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes, as indicated by the time-course profiles of enzyme activity. The low-Km mitochondrial ALDH was most susceptible to inhibition following CC administration, with complete inhibition occurring at 0.5 h and return to control activity at 96 h. The low-Km cytosolic and high-Km mitochondrial, cytosolic, and microsomal ALDH isozymes were inhibited to a lesser degree and (or) for a shorter duration compared with the mitochondrial low-Km enzyme. The time course of carbimide, the hydrolytic product of CC, was determined in plasma following oral administration of 7.0 mg/kg CC to the rat. The maximum plasma carbimide concentration (102 ng/mL) occurred at 1 h and the apparent elimination half-life in plasma was 1.5 h. Carbimide was not measurable in the liver during the 6.5 h time interval when carbimide was present in the plasma. There were negative, linear correlations between plasma carbimide concentration and hepatic low-Km mitochondrial, low-Km cytosolic, and high-Km microsomal ALDH activities. In vitro studies demonstrated that carbimide, at concentrations obtained in plasma following oral CC administration, produced only 19% inhibition of low-Km mitochondrial ALDH and no inhibition of low-Km cytosolic and high-Km microsomal ALDH isozymes. These data demonstrate that carbimide, itself, is not primarily responsible for hepatic ALDH inhibition in vivo following oral CC administration. It would appear that carbimide must undergo metabolic conversion in vivo to inhibit hepatic ALDH enzymes, which is supported by the observation of no measurable carbimide in the liver when ALDH was maximally inhibited following oral CC administration.     

Effects of glutathione depletion on gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes

Glutathione-depleted hepatocytes, by incubation with diethylmaleate (DEM) or phorone (2,6-dimethyl-2,5-heptadiene-4-one), i.e., substrates of the GSH S-transferases (EC 2.5.1.18), showed rates of gluconeogenesis from various precursors significantly lower than controls; however the rate of glucose synthesis from fructose was similar to that of controls. Isolated hepatocytes from rats pretreated with those substrates 1 h before isolation to deplete hepatic glutathione (GSH) also showed a decrease of the rate of gluconeogenesis from lactate plus pyruvate. Incubation of hepatocytes with L-buthionine sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase (EC 6.3.2.2), resulted in a decreased rate of gluconeogenesis from lactate plus pyruvate only when GSH values were lower than 1 mumol/g cells. Freeze-clamped livers from GSH-depleted rats showed a higher concentration of malate and glycerol 3-phosphate, indicating that GSH depletion probably affects phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activities. Several indicators of cell viability, such as lactate dehydrogenase leakage, malondialdehyde accumulation, ATP concentration, or urea synthesis from different precursors, were not affected by GSH depletion under the experimental conditions used here. Besides, the GSH/GSSG ratio remained unchanged in all cases.     

An enzymatic model for rat liver alcohol dehydrogenase in the presence of low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase

Four isoenzymes of aldehyde dehydrogenase were partially purified from rat liver mitochondria by hydroxylapatite chromatography and gel filtration. While three forms display low affinity for acetaldehyde, the fourth is active at extremely low aldehyde concentrations (Km less than or equal to 2 microM) and allows the oxidation of the acetaldehyde formed by catalysis of alcohol dehydrogenase at pH 7.4. Different models of alcohol dehydrogenase have been examined by analysis of progress curves of ethanol oxidation obtained in the presence of low-km aldehyde dehydrogenase. According to the only acceptable model, when the acetaldehyde concentration is kept low by the action of aldehyde dehydrogenase, NADH no longer binds to alcohol dehydrogenase, but acetaldehyde still competes with ethanol for the active site of the enzyme. The seven kinetic parameters of the two enzymes (four for alcohol dehydrogenase and three for aldehyde dehydrogenase) and the equilibrium constant of the reaction catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase have been determined by applying a new fitting procedure here described.     

Nutritional and gonadal effects on the intra-acinar profiles of low-Km and high-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in rat liver

Total and low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was measured in 50-150 ng microdissected liver tissue samples of the entire sinusoidal length. High-Km ALDH activity was calculated by subtracting the low-Km ALDH values from the total ALDH activity. Enzyme activity was measured by a microchemical assay, using the oil-well technique with luminometric determination of NADH. The intra-acinar profiles of high-Km and low-Km ALDH activity could be demonstrated graphically for both male and female rats after 84 h of starvation, and after starvation and refeeding for 6 nights. In addition, the ALDH distribution patterns of juvenile, castrated, and castrated and testosterone-treated rats were determined. It could be demonstrated that starvation, and starvation followed by refeeding, lead to changes in enzyme activity which parallel the loss and regain of liver- and body-weight. The nutritional factors do not essentially alter the normal intra-acinar profiles. In juvenile rats, ALDH is lower by 30% in comparison with the controls, but sex-differences in the distribution profiles are not yet present. Castration has no effect on the amount of enzyme activity but the sex specific distribution profiles are less marked. The main effect of testosterone treatment is an elevation of low-Km ALDH in the perivenous zone. The characteristics of the intra-acinar profiles of high-Km and low-Km ALDH activity are discussed with respect to hepatic acetaldehyde oxidation and alcoholic liver damage.     

The action of progesterone and diethylstilboestrol on the dehydrogenase and esterase activities of a purified aldehyde dehydrogenase from rabbit liver.

A steroid-sensitive aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) was purified from rabbit liver and is homogeneous by the criterion of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels with or without sodium dodecyl sulphate. The enzyme is tetrameric, of subunit mo.wt. 48 300, and contains no tightly bound zinc. The fluorescence of the protein is decreased in the presence of progesterone, which is inhibitory to the reactions catalysed by the enzyme. When NADH is bound to the enzyme, the fluorescence of the coenzyme is augmented to an extent independent of the presence of steroids or acetaldehyde. The purified enzyme catalyses the oxidation of acetaldehyde and glucuronolactone, and the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate. Each of these reactions is inhibited by progesterone in such a manner as to suggest the formation of a catalytically active enzyme-hormone complex. Diethylstilboestrol inhibits the hydrolysis of esters by this enzyme, but stimulates the oxidation of aldehydes, except at low aldehyde concentrations; the ligand is then inhibitory. NADH inhibits the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate by the enzyme in a partially competitive fashion.     

Metabolism of N6,O2'-[3H]dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and macromolecular interactions of the products perfused rat liver.

Mitochondria from liver, kidney, brain, and skeletal muscle metabolized acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde oxidation by liver and kidney mitochondria was maximal at low levels of acetaldehyde and was sensitive to rotenone, suggesting the involvement of a NAD⁺-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase with a high affinity for acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde oxidation was stimulated 50% by ADP, suggesting that, in state 4, reoxidation of NADH is rate limiting for acetaldehyde oxidation. In state 4, acetaldehyde oxidation was decreased by NAD⁺-dependent substrates, as well as by succinate and ascorbate. The inhibition by the latter two substrates was prevented by ADP, dinitrophenol, valinomycin, and gramicidin, but not by oligomycin. Since these compounds are linked to energy transduction and utilization, the data suggest that the inhibition is mediated via energy-dependent reversed electron transport. In state 3, all of these substrates caused considerably less inhibition of acetaldehyde oxidation, suggesting that the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase, and not of NADH reoxidation, is probably rate limiting for acetaldehyde oxidation. The ionophores valinomycin and gramicidin stimulated acetaldehyde oxidation to a greater extent than ADP. These ionophores also stimulated acetaldehyde oxidation in the presence of ADP. Stimulation by valinomycin occurred in the presence of monovalent cations transported by this ionophore, e.g., K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺. Stimulation by gramicidin also occurred in the presence of these cations, but did not occur with Na⁺ or Li⁺. Na⁺ prevents the stimulation of acetaldehyde oxidation, which occurs in the presence of gramicidin and K⁺. The stimulation by valinomycin and gramicidin was energy dependent and required the presence of a permeant anion. In the absence of an ionophore, potassium phosphate had no effect on acetaldehyde oxidation. These data suggest that the oxidation of acetaldehyde by rat liver and kidney mitochondria is influenced by the oxidation-reduction state of the mitochondria and by the cationic environment. With brain and muscle mitochondria, the rate of acetaldehyde oxidation increased two- to threefold as the concentration of acetaldehyde was raised from 0.167 to 0.50 mm. Acetaldehyde oxidation in these mitochondria was also sensitive; to rotenone, indicating dependence on NAD⁺. ADP, valinomycin, gramicidin, and succinate, compounds which either increased or decreased the rate of acetaldehyde oxidation by liver and kidney mitochondria, had no effect on acetaldehyde oxidation by muscle or brain mitochondria. In state 4, mitochondria from Becker-transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma HC-252 oxidized acetaldehyde at the same rate as liver mitochondria. However, in the presence of ADP, dinitrophenol, valinomycin and gramicidin, the rate of acetaldehyde oxidation by the tumor mitochondria was two to three times greater than that of liver mitochondria, suggesting the presence of a more active; acetaldehyde-oxidizing system in tumor than in liver mitochondria.     

Ethanol metabolism in guinea pig: Ethanol oxidation and its effect on NADNADH ratios,oxygen consumption,and ketogenesis in isolated hepatocytes of fed and fasted animals

Ethanol metabolism was studied in isolated hepatocytes of fed and fasted guinea pigs. Alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) activities of fed or fasted liver cells were 2.04 and 1.88 μmol/g cells/min, respectively. Under a variety of in vitro conditions, alcohol dehydrogenase operates in fed hepatocytes at 34–74% and in fasted liver cells at 23–61% of its maximum velocity, respectively. Hepatocytes of fed animals, incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer, oxidized ethanol at an average rate of 0.69 μmol/g wet weight cells/min, whereas cells of 48-h fasted animals consumed only 0.44 μmol/g/min under identical conditions. Various substrates and metabolites of intermediary metabolism significantly enhanced ethanol oxidation in fed liver cells. Maximum stimulatory effects were achieved with alanine (+138%) and pyruvate (+102%), followed in decreasing order by propionate, lactate, fructose, dihydroxyacetone, and galactose. In contrast to substrate couples such as lactate/pyruvate and glycerol/dihydroxyacetone, sorbitol with or without fructose significantly inhibited ethanol oxidation. The addition of hydrogen shuttle components such as malate, aspartate, or glutamate to fasted hepatocytes resulted in significantly higher stimulation of ethanol uptake than in fed hepatocytes. Also, the degree of inhibition of shuttle activity by n-butylmalonate was more pronounced in fasted liver cells (77% inhibition) than in fed cells (59% inhibition). These data as well as oxygen kinetic studies in intact guinea pig hepatocytes utilizing uncouplers (carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, dinitrophenol), electron-transport inhibitors (rotenone, antimycin), and malate-aspartate shuttle inhibitors (aminooxyacetate, n-butylmalonate) strongly suggested that the malate-aspartate shuttle is the predominant hydrogen transport system during ethanol oxidation in guinea pig liver.Comparison of the alcohol dehydrogenase-inhibitors 4-methylpyrazole and pyrazole on ethanol oxidation demonstrated that the alcohol dehydrogenase system is quantitatively the most important alcohol-metabolizing pathway in guinea pig liver. Supporting this conclusion, it was found that the H₂O₂-forming substrate glycolate slightly increased ethanol oxidation in liver cells of control animals (+26%), but prior inhibition of catalase by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole resulted in a significant increase (+25%) instead of a decrease in alcohol oxidation. This finding does not support a quantitatively important role of peroxidatic oxidation of ethanol by catalase in liver.Cytosolic $\text{NAD}\text{NADH}$ ratios were greatly shifted toward reduction during ethanol oxidation. These reductive shifts were even more pronounced when cells were incubated in the presence of fatty acids (octanoate, oleate) plus ethanol. Inhibitor studies with 4-methylpyrazole demonstrated that the decrease of the cytosolic $\text{NAD}\text{NADH}$ ratio during fatty acid oxidation was due to an inhibition of hydrogen transport from cytosol to mitochondria and not the result of transfer of hydrogen, generated by fatty acid oxidation, from mitochondria to cytosol. Lactate plus pyruvate formation was slightly inhibited by ethanol in fed hepatocytes but greatly accelerated in fasted cells; this latter effect was mostly the result of increased lactate formation. Such regulation may represent a hepatic mechanism of alcoholic lactic acidosis as observed in human alcoholics. The ethanol-induced decrease of the mitochondrial $\text{NAD}\text{NADH}$ ratio was prevented by addition of 4-methylpyrazole. Endogenous ketogenesis was greatly increased (+80%) by ethanol in fed liver cells. This effect of ethanol was blunted in the presence of glucose. Propionate, by competing with fatty acid oxidation, was strongly antiketogenic. This effect was alleviated by ethanol. In 48-h fasted hepatocytes, endogenous ketogenesis was enhanced by 84%. Although ethanol did not further stimulate endogenous ketogenesis under these conditions, alcohol significantly increased ketogenesis in the presence of octanoate or oleate. This stimulatory effect of ethanol was almost completely prevented by 4-methylpyrazole. These findings demonstrate that the syndrome of alcoholic ketoacidosis may be due, at least partially, to the additional stimulation of ketogenesis by or from ethanol during fatty acid oxidation in the fasting state.     

Evidence for the generation of transaminase inhibitor(s) during ethanol metabolism by rat liver homogenates: a potential mechanism for alcohol toxicity

Since ethanol consumption decreases hepatic aminotransferase activities in vivo, mechanisms of ethanol-mediated transaminase inhibition were explored in vitro using mitochondria-depleted rat liver homogenates. When homogenates were incubated at 37 degrees with 50 mM ethanol for 1 hr, alanine aminotransferase decreased by 20%, while aspartate aminotransferase was unchanged. After 2 hr, aspartate aminotransferase decreased by 20% and by 3 hr, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases were decreased by 31 and 23%, respectively. Levels of acetaldehyde generated during ethanol oxidation were 525 +/- 47 microM at 1 hr, 855 +/- 14 microM at 2 hr, and 1293 +/- 140 microM at 3 hr. Although inhibition of alcohol oxidation with methylpyrazole or cyanide markedly decreased ethanol-mediated transaminase inhibition, neither incubation with acetate nor generation of reducing equivalents by oxidation of lactate, malate, xylitol, or sorbitol altered the activity of either enzyme. However, semicarbazide, an aldehyde scavenger, prevented inhibition of both aminotransferases by ethanol. Moreover, incubation with 5 mM acetaldehyde for 1 hr inhibited alanine and aspartate aminotransferases by 36 and 26%, respectively. Cyanamide, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, had little effect on ethanol-mediated transaminase inhibition. Thus, metabolism of ethanol by rat liver homogenates produces transaminase inhibition similar to that described in vivo and this effect requires acetaldehyde generation but not acetaldehyde oxidation. Since addition of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to assay mixes did not reverse ethanol effects, aminotransferase inhibition does not result from displacement of vitamin B6 coenzymes.     

Aldehyde Derivatives of Indoleamines and the Enhancement of their Binding onto Brain Macromolecules by Pentobarbital and Acetaldehyde

ALDEHYDE derivatives of catecholamines and of indoleamines, for example, of serotonin, are formed in the brain by the action of monoamine oxidase (MAO)^1,2. Further metabolic transformation proceeds via an NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase (ADH)^3,4 and an NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase (ADR)⁵, which has been shown to be inhibited by low concentrations of barbiturates, both in vitro^6,7 and in vivo⁸. Aldehyde dehydrogenase, on the other hand, has a wide substrate specificity and a given substrate may compete for oxidation with others (such as competition between acetaldehyde and 5-hydroxyindoleacetaldehyde⁹). These metabolic relationships would be expected, in proper circumstances (that is, in the presence of barbiturates or acetaldehyde), to increase the steady state concentration of aldehyde intermediates of biogenic amines.     

Partially irreversible inactivation of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase by nitroglycerin

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) may be involved in the biotransformation of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), and the inactivation of ALDH2 by GTN may contribute to the phenomenon of nitrate tolerance. We studied the GTN-induced inactivation of ALDH2 by UV/visible absorption spectroscopy. Dehydrogenation of acetaldehyde and hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylacetate (p-NPA) were both inhibited by GTN. The rate of inhibition increased with the GTN concentration and decreased with the substrate concentration, indicative of competition between GTN and the substrates. Inactivation of p-NPA hydrolysis was greatly enhanced in the presence of NAD(+), and, to a lesser extent, in the presence of NADH. In the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT) inactivation of ALDH2 was much slower. Dihydrolipoic acid (LPA-H(2)) was less effective than DTT, whereas glutathione, cysteine, and ascorbate did not protect against inactivation. When DTT was added after complete inactivation, dehydrogenase reactivation was quite modest (< or =16%). The restored dehydrogenase activity correlated inversely with the GTN concentration but was hardly affected by the concentrations of acetaldehyde or DTT. Partial reactivation of dehydrogenation was also accomplished by LPA-H(2) but not by GSH. We conclude that, in addition to the previously documented reversible inhibition by GTN that can be ascribed to the oxidation of the active site thiol, there is an irreversible component to ALDH inactivation. Importantly, ALDH2-catalyzed GTN reduction was partly inactivated by preincubation with GTN, suggesting that the inactivation of GTN reduction is also partly irreversible. These observations are consistent with a significant role for irreversible inactivation of ALDH2 in the development of nitrate tolerance.     

Enzymatic oxidation of phthalazine with guinea pig liver aldehyde oxidase and liver slices: inhibition by isovanillin

The enzymes aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of N-heterocycles and aldehydes. These enzymes are widely known for their role in the metabolism of N-heterocyclic xenobiotics where they provide a protective barrier by aiding in the detoxification of ingested nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Isovanillin has been shown to inhibit the metabolism of aromatic aldehydes by aldehyde oxidase, but its inhibition towards the heterocyclic compounds has not been studied. The present investigation examines the oxidation of phthalazine in the absence and in the presence of the inhibitor isovanillin by partially purified aldehyde oxidase from guinea pig liver. In addition, the interaction of phthalazine with freshly prepared guinea pig liver slices, both in the absence and presence of specific inhibitors of several liver oxidizing enzymes, was investigated. ldehyde oxidase rapidly converted phthalazine into 1-phthalazinone, which was completely inhibited in the presence of isovanillin (a specific inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase). In freshly prepared liver slices, phthalazine was also rapidly converted to 1-phthalazinone. The formation of 1-phthalazinone was completely inhibited by isovanillin, whereas disulfiram (a specific inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase) only inhibited 1-phthalazinone formation by 24% and allopurinol (a specific inhibitor of xanthine oxidase) had little effect. Therefore, isovanillin has been proved as an inhibitor of the metabolism of heterocyclic substrates, such as phthalazine, by guinea pig liver aldehyde oxidase, since it had not been tested before. Thus it would appear from the inhibitor results that aldehyde oxidase is the predominant enzyme in the oxidation of phthalazine to 1-phthalazinone in freshly prepared guinea pig liver slices, whereas xanthine oxidase only contributes to a small extent and aldehyde dehydrogenase does not take any part.     

Acetaldehyde oxidation in rat liver mitochondria, action of Mg2+, ATP and rotenone on acetaldehyde oxidation in intact mitochondria, and on some purified aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes

In intact rat liver mitochondria acetaldehyde is oxidized by three functionally distinct dehydrogenase systems. Two of these reduce intramitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD): one is operative with micromolar acetaldehyde concentrations and is stimulated by Mg2+, the other is operative with millimolar acetaldehyde concentrations and is stimulated by adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The third system reduces added NAD and is stimulated by rotenone. Connected to these systems, three aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes (ALDH) have been purified: a low-Km ALDH activated by Mg2+, a high-Km ALDH activated by ATP and Mg2+, a high-Km ALDH activated by rotenone. The properties of some isozymes are affected by detergents. Thus, deoxycholate augments the stimulation of low-Km isozyme by Mg2+ and confers sensitivity to Mg2+ and ATP on one of the high-Km isozymes. A fourth isozyme has been purified. Its affinity for acetaldehyde is so low that it is very unlikely that acetaldehyde is the physiological substrate.