Loss of cytochrome P-450 from hepatic nuclear membranes of rats fed 2-acetylaminofluorene

The cytochrome P-450 content of nuclear membranes isolated from the livers of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a semipurified diet containing 0.05% w/w 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) for 3 weeks, was only about 20% of the values in control rats fed the same diet devoid of AAF. This effect was apparent after only 1 week of AAF treatment and persisted in nuclear membranes from isolated hyperplastic nodules (HPN) generated by 4 cycles of interrupted AAF-feeding. The microsomal cytochrome P-450 content, on the other hand, remained at control levels after 1 week of AAF treatment, and it was only slightly decreased after 3 weeks. In contrast, microsomes from HPN generated by prolonged AAF treatment had markedly decreased amounts of cytochrome P-450. The AAF treatment also caused changes in cholesterol epoxide hydrolase activity, which paralleled those observed for cytochrome P-450 content. Nuclear membranes from livers of rats fed AAF for 3 weeks, and from isolated HPN, had only 30-50% of the cholesterol epoxide hydrolase activity present in controls, whereas the microsomal enzyme activity remained at control levels after 3 weeks of AAF feeding but was 50% depressed in microsomes from HPN. The selective loss of cytochrome P-450 and of cholesterol epoxide hydrolase in hepatic nuclear membrane, but not in microsomes, of rats fed AAF for 3 weeks suggests independent control for these enzymes in these two membrane fractions. Cytochrome P-450 plays a role both in the activation of AAF (N-hydroxylation) as well as in its detoxification (ring hydroxylation) whereas cholesterol epoxide hydrolase initiates the detoxification of cholesterol epoxide. Therefore, our findings suggest the hypothesis that AAF treatment causes an early loss, at the surface of the nucleus, of the last line of defense for detoxification of transforming or promoting metabolites generated by microsomal activation of natural substances such as cholesterol and of xenobiotics such as AAF.     

Potential chemoprevention of diethylnitrosamine-initiated and 2-acetylaminofluorene-promoted hepatocarcinogenesis by zerumbone from the rhizomes of the subtropical ginger (Zingiber zerumbet)

Zerumbone (ZER), a monosesquiterpene found in the subtropical ginger (Zingiber zerumbet Smith), possesses antiproliferative properties to several cancer cells lines, including the cervical, skin and colon cancers. In this study, the antitumourigenic effects of ZER were assessed in rats induced to develop liver cancer with a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg) and dietary 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) (0.02%). The rats also received intraperitoneal ZER injections at 15, 30 or 60 mg/kg body wt. twice a week for 11 weeks, beginning week four post-DEN injection. The hepatocytes of positive control (DEN/AAF) rats were smaller with larger hyperchromatic nuclei than normal, showing cytoplasmic granulation and intracytoplasmic violaceous material, which were characteristics of hepatocarcinogenesis. Histopathological evaluations showed that ZER protects the rat liver from the carcinogenic effects of DEN and AAF. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in ZER-treated than untreated rats with liver cancer. The liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the untreated DEN/AAF rats indicating hepatic lipid peroxidation. There was also significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the hepatic tissue glutathione (GSH) concentrations. The liver sections of untreated DEN/AAF rats also showed abundant proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), while in ZER-treated rats the expression of this antigen was significantly (P < 0.05) lowered. By the TUNEL assay, there were significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of apoptotic cells in DEN/AAF rats treated with ZER than those untreated. Zerumbone treatment had also increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in the livers of DEN/AAF rats, which suggested increased apoptosis. Even after 11 weeks of ZER treatment, there was no evidence of abnormality in the liver of normal rats. This study suggests that ZER reduces oxidative stress, inhibits proliferation, induces mitochondria-regulated apoptosis, thus minimising DEN/AAF-induced carcinogenesis in rat liver. Therefore, ZER has great potential in the treatment of liver cancers.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor mRNA in livers from newborn, adult and partially hepatectomized rats

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor mRNA expression in livers of newborn, adult control and partially hepatectomized rats 1 and 3 days post-operation was examined by Northern blot analysis. A human EGF receptor cDNA (P 64-1, Ullrich et al., 1984) was hybridized to RNA species of 10, 6 and 3 kb. These mRNAs were profoundly decreased in livers from newborn rats and relatively decreased in regenerating rat livers. beta-Actin mRNA in these tissues showed a tendency to increase over that of the adult controls.     

Metabolism and nucleic acid binding of 7-fluoro-2-acetamidofluorene in rats: oxidative defluorination and apparent dissociation from hepatocarcinogenesis of 8-(N-arylamide) guanine adducts on DNA

The significance in hepatocarcinogenesis of various arylamine/amide adducts with nucleic acid was investigated by the use of comparison studies on several different parameters. Female Fischer and Sprague-Dawley rats are comparably sensitive to hepatocarcinogenesis by 2-acetamidofluorene (AAF), while male rats are more sensitive. 7-Fluoro-AAF is more carcinogenic in Sprague-Dawley rats than is AAF, but is strikingly so toward the liver of the female rat. Based on these observations, binding of both compounds to liver nucleic acids was determined for male and female Fischer rats at 1 and 3 days after a single injection of carcinogen, and in female Sprague-Dawley rats from 1 to 28 days after a single injection. As shown by others, no 8-(N-2-fluorenylacetamido)guanine adduct could be found in RNA or DNA of female Sprague-Dawley rats treated with AAF (nor was the corresponding 7-fluoro derivative detectable). These adducts were present, however, in comparable amounts in both male and female Fischer rats. The binding of 7-fluoro-AAF derivatives was higher than that of AAF derivatives in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Feeding of either AAF or 7-fluoro-AAF to Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 weeks before a single injection of [3H]7-fluoro-AAF resulted in reduction of the 8-(N-2-(7-fluoro)fluorenylacetamido)guanine adduct in males to undetectable levels in DNA and to 10% of control level in RNA. Non-acetylated adducts were increased in males, but decreased in females by AAF prefeeding; 7-fluoro-AAF prefeeding resulted in little change in adduct formation in females and in a major increase in non-acetylated adducts in males. AAF adducts disappeared from DNA more rapidly than did 7-fluoro-AAF adducts. Assay of the urinary metabolites from the animals in the prefeeding experiment showed that all compounds fed (including the non-hepatocarcinogens 4-acetamidobiphenyl and 2-acetamidophenanthrene) increased the proportion of N-hydroxy-7-fluoro-AAF among the metabolites. Defluorination of 7-fluoro-AAF to 7-hydroxy-AAF was also demonstrated and the ratio of 7-hydroxy-AAF to 5-hydroxy-7-fluoro-AAF was comparable to that observed for 7-hydroxy-AAF/5-hydroxy-AAF and AAF itself, suggesting that fluoro substitution does not increase activity by preventing detoxication.     

Reduction of 2-acetylaminofluorene-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in human and rat hepatocytes by butylated hydroxytoluene

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) protected against DNA damage induced in rat hepatocytes by 2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAF) or N-hydroxy 2AAF as shown by a marked reduction of unscheduled DNA synthesis. BHT also inhibited 2AAF-induced DNA damage (as shown by reduced repair) in human hepatocytes. In addition, rats pre-treated with BHT in the diet (0.5% w/w for 10 days) provided hepatocytes which exhibited less unscheduled DNA synthesis than did hepatocytes from control rats when these cells were exposed to either 2AAF or N-hydroxy 2AAF. The results indicate both direct (in vitro) and indirect (by pre-treatment in vivo) inhibitory effects of BHT on the genotoxicity of 2AAF in liver cells, in accord with the reported anti-tumorigenicity in the liver. This effect contracts with a BHT-mediated increase in the efflux of 2AAF-derived mutagens from liver cells which may contribute to enhanced extrahepatic carcinogenesis.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor in chronic bile duct obstructed rats: implications for maintenance of hepatocellular mass.

Changes of the number and properties of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor occur during liver regeneration and may be of importance in the maintenance of hepatocellular mass in liver cirrhosis. We therefore studied the changes in the number and distribution of EGF receptor in the development of liver cirrhosis induced by bile duct ligation. Receptor binding assays demonstrated a marked decrease in the binding capacity of crude plasma membrane fractions from 45 +/- SD 16 to 19 +/- 10 fmol/mg protein (p < 0.001) in control and bile duct ligated livers, respectively while the Kd increased after 3 days of bile duct ligation from 0.5 +/- 0.2 to 1.4 +/- 0.6 nmol/l. Total receptor concentration in the same membrane fractions, as assessed by Western blot analysis, was not changed. The expression of EGF receptor mRNA was reduced to about one third of control levels after 28 days of bile obstruction. Immunohistochemistry, performed using monoclonal antibodies against EGF receptor, showed a strong labeling of cytoplasm (87 +/- 3% positive) and plasma membranes (84 +/- 24%) but no labeling of nuclei in control livers. In bile duct ligated rats, in contrast, cytoplasmic staining was decreased (15 +/- 12%) already after 3 days of bile obstruction; labeling of canalicular membranes and nuclei appeared after 14 days. The shift of EGF receptor from plasma membranes to nuclei supports the notion that EGF receptor is involved in the maintenance of hepatocellular mass in this model of liver cirrhosis. This concept is supported by the finding of decreased mRNA for EGF receptor presumably representing down-regulation as seen in regenerating rat liver.     

Decreased expression of liver epidermal growth factor receptors in rats with alloxan and streptozotocin diabetes

Male rats (200 g) were rendered diabetic with one intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg) or streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). In hyperglycemic animals within 3 hours after the injection, the binding of EGF to liver membranes decreased by 43-52%; the maximal drop was by 70% and persisted for the 20 days of the experiment. EGF receptors decreased in number with almost no changes in their affinity. Autophosphorylation of the receptors decreased parallel to the ligand binding. In animals that received lower doses and did not develop diabetes and in animals in whom diabetes was prevented by the injections of glucose (before alloxan) or nicotinamide (before streptozotocin) the binding of EGF to liver receptors remained normal. We conclude that the decreased expression of EGF receptors was caused by diabetes and not by the toxic effects of the diabetogenic compounds on the liver.     

Development of insulin and epidermal growth factor receptors during the differentiation of rat preadipocytes in primary culture

An homogeneous cell population isolated from the inguinal tissue of 3-day-old rats is able to proliferate in primary culture. In the presence of a physiological concentration of insulin (1.5 nM) it converts into cells exhibiting the morphology and the biochemical characteristics of adipocytes. Insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors were studied during both the exponential growth and the adipose conversion phases of these cells. Binding experiments with 125I-labelled peptides were performed directly in the culture dishes. The number of high affinity insulin binding sites increased, during the entire culture period studied, reaching 18 days after plating the value of 10,600 x 2360. Control cells (cultured in the presence of anti-insulin antibody) exhibited an increase of the concentration of insulin binding sites from no more than 500 sites/cell to 6880 +/- 1710 sites/cell between dat 0 and 9 (corresponding to the exponential growth phase); this increase was followed by a rapid reduction in insulin receptors during the stationary phase. The density of EGF binding sites increased between day 0 and 4 (one cell cycle), whether the cells were maintained or not with insulin, and plateaued thereafter. Mature adipocytes freshly isolated from the inguinal tissue of 3-day-old rats had no detectable EGF binding sites, but their content in high affinity binding sites for insulin was similar to that of cells after complete adipocyte conversion in primary culture.     

Trafficking of the epidermal growth factor receptor and transferrin in three hepatocytic endosomal fractions.

Hepatocytes rapidly internalize epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transferrin by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Both EGF and its receptor are thought to be targeted for destruction in lysosomes, leading to down-regulation of the receptor, whereas transferrin, after unloading iron within the cell, is thought to recycle to the cell surface bound to its receptor. Previously, we isolated three endosomal fractions from livers of estradiol-treated rats and examined their roles in cellular trafficking of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and the LDL receptor, which cycles constitutively (Belcher, J. D., Hamilton, R. L., Brady, S. E., Hornick, C. A., J?ckle, S., Schneider, W. J., and Havel, R. J., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. (1987) 84, 6785-6789). In the current study we have taken advantage of the distinct trafficking of the EGF receptor and transferrin to evaluate further the functions of these endosome fractions. Intravenous injection of a saturating amount of EGF into estradiol-treated rats induced internalization of a single population of EGF receptors, which rapidly accumulated in the endosome fraction of intermediate density ("compartment of uncoupling of receptor and ligand" (CURL)) and subsequently in the low density endosome fraction (multivesicular bodies (MVBs)). The high density endosome fraction, whose membranes contain a high concentration of recycling receptors (designated receptor-recycling compartment (RRC)), failed to accumulate EGF receptors after injection of EGF. In livers of rats not given exogenous EGF, EGF receptors were found in small but comparable concentrations in RRC, CURL, and MVB membranes, consistent with other evidence that targeting of the EGF receptor to lysosomes is mediated by ligand-induced phosphorylation. Transferrin also accumulated first in CURL and later in MVBs, but it also accumulated rapidly in the RRC fraction, consistent with the proposed function of this fraction in receptor recycling. Since transferrin is not degraded during its endocytic cycle, these observations indicate that apotransferrin and its receptor recycle from late endosomes (MVBs) located at the apical pole of hepatocytes, as well as from early endosomes near the sinusoidal pole.     

Ribonucleic acid synthesis in regenerating liver of irradiated adrenalectomized rats.

The effect of whole-body irradiation on RNA synthesis in regenerating and non-growing livers was studied in intact and adrenalectomized rats. The animals were divided into four sub-groups: (1) control; (2) irradiation only; (3) partially-hepatectomized; and (4) irradiated partially-hepatectomized. Newly-synthesized RNA was determined by 30 or 40 min uptake of (6-14C) orotic acid. Both nuclear and polyribosomal RNA synthesis in regenerating livers of adrenalectomized rats were depressed below their control levels, regardless of whether irradiation was 2 hours before or 2 hours after partial hepatectomy. Specific radioactivity values of regenerating livers of adrenal intact and adrenalectomized rats were elevated above those of the non-growing livers from irradiated and unirradiated rats.     

Vanadate induces normolipidemia and a reduction in the levels of hepatic lipogenic enzymes in obese Zucker rat

The effects of vanadate administration on the plasma lipids and hepatic lipogenic enzymes were investigated in Zucker (fa/fa) rat, a model for obesity and non insulin-dependent diabetes. These animals were administered sodium orthovanadate through drinking water for a period of four months. The plasma levels of insulin, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol were significantly (p<0.001) elevated in untreated obese control rats as compared to the lean animals. In the livers of obese rats, the number of insulin receptors decreased by 60% and the activities of lipogenic enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP-citrate lyase increased by 4.7- and 5.6-folds, respectively. The messenger RNA for ATP-citrate lyase as measured by Northern blot analysis showed a parallel increase in obese control rats. Treatment of these rats with vanadate caused 56–77% decreases in the plasma levels of insulin, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol. The insulin receptor numbers in vanadate-treated obese rats increased (119%) compared to levels in untreated obese animals. The elevated activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP-citrate lyase observed in livers of obese rats were significantly reduced by vanadate. The messenger RNA for ATP-citrate lyase also decreased in vanadate-treated obese rats back to the lean control levels. This study demonstrates that vanadate exerts potent actions on lipid metabolism in diabetic animals in addition to the recognized effects on glucose homeostasis.     

Supplementation of selenium reduces chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats

Selenium is an essential micronutrient mineral found mainly in soils and has been shown to prevent certain cancers in humans and animals. However, the dose and effects of selenium on liver cancer are controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium selenite (4 mg/kg in drinking water) on chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) (200 mg/kg body weight) and 2 weeks later, the carcinogenic effect was promoted by 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) (0.02%). 44 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: negative control, positive control (DEN+2-AAF), pre-selenium group (sodium selenite for 4 weeks, then DEN+2-AAF), pre-selenium control group (sodium selenite for 4 weeks, no DEN or 2-AAF), post-selenium group (sodium selenite for 8 weeks after 4 weeks of DEN injection) and post-selenium control group (sodium selenite for 8 weeks, no DEN or 2-AAF). Hematoxylin and eosin plus Gordon and Sweet’s methods were used to stain liver tissues. The results showed that the number and sizes of hepatic nodules in pre- and post-selenium treatment groups significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with the positive control. Microscopic analysis of pre- and post-selenium groups showed that the majority of nodules were hyperplastic with preserved liver architecture, whereas the positive control was full of neoplastic nodules with a completely disrupted liver architecture. Hence, pre- and post-selenium treatments can reduce the extent of liver cancer on chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.     

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on epidermal growth factor receptors in rat liver plasma membrane

The effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding was studied in microsomal membranes from rat liver. The binding of EGF in membranes from diabetic animals was significantly low, the value being about 60% of the control level. Scatchard analysis of the binding data clearly showed that the decrease in EGF binding was due to a decrease in the number of receptors. Treatment of diabetic animals with insulin restored EGF receptors to control levels, whereas the treatment with triiodothyronine had no effect. Serum EGF concentrations measured were almost the same among the control, diabetic, and insulin-treated diabetic groups. These results suggest that insulin deficiency in vivo causes a decrease in hepatic EGF receptors.     

Regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor number and phosphorylation by fasting in rat liver

The binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF) to microsomal membrane preparations from the livers of rats fasted for 72 h or fed control or high carbohydrate diets was examined to determine whether alterations in nutrient intake could affect the EGF receptor system. Fasted rats had 40-50% less membrane binding than did control or carbohydrate-fed rats. Scatchard analysis of the binding data indicated that the decrease in EGF binding in fasted rats was due to a decrease in receptor number with no change in receptor affinity. Cross-linking of 125I-EGF to EGF receptors with disuccinimidyl suberate revealed specific binding of a Mr 170,000 protein, which was diminished by approximately 75% in fasting, and a Mr = 150,000 protein, which accounted for 40-50% of the total labeling in the control and carbohydrate-fed rats and which was relatively unchanged by fasting. The sum of the labeling of the 2 bands was reduced by approximately 40% in fasting and is consistent with the reduction in EGF binding detected by Scatchard analysis. EGF stimulated a 1.5-3-fold increase in 32P incorporation into one major protein of 170 kDa in all 3 groups. Basal and EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of 170 kDa, when normalized for protein, was 75% lower in membranes from fasted animals, compared to those from control or carbohydrate-fed rats. The comparable reduction of 125I-EGF binding to, and 32P incorporation into, the 170-kDa EGF receptor protein suggested that kinase activity/receptor was unaffected by fasting. Moreover, EGF receptor kinase activity in the 3 groups was comparable for an exogenous substrate, as judged by equal basal and EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of Val5-angiotensin II, when normalized for total EGF-binding capacity. These results suggest that fasting regulates EGF receptor kinase activity primarily by regulation of the number of hepatic EGF receptors. The possibility exists that some in vivo effects of fasting may be mediated by a reduction in EGF receptor levels.     

Changes of insulin binding in rat tissues after exposure to stress.

The effects of various stressors on insulin receptors in adipose, liver and skeletal muscle tissues were studied in rats exposed to acute or repeated stress. Adult male rats were exposed to immobilization (IMO) for 2.5 hours daily for 1, 7 and 42 days, or to hypokinesia (HK) for 1, 7 and 21 days. We determined the values of specific insulin binding (SIB) and insulin receptor binding capacity (IR) of plasma cell membranes from adipose, liver and muscle tissue (IMO groups), or insulin binding to isolated adipocytes and hepatocytes (HK groups). A significant decrease of SIB and IR was observed in rats exposed to acute stress (1x IMO) in muscle, adipose and liver tissues. However, in animals exposed to repeated stress (7x and 42x IMO), SIB and IR were diminished in the muscle tissue, whereas no significant changes were noted in the liver and adipose tissue. When tissue samples were collected 3-24 hours after exposure to IMO stress, no changes of SIB and IR were found in liver and adipose tissue, but insulin binding was lowered in skeletal muscles. In animals exposed to HK for one day, a decrease of SIB and IR was found in isolated adipocytes, but no changes in insulin binding were noted in the liver tissue. In rats exposed to HK for 7 and 21 days, values of IR were similar as in control group. Our results indicate a) the different changes of IR in the liver, fat and muscle tissues after exposure to stress situations, b) a long-term decrease of insulin binding in muscles of rats exposed to repeated IMO stress, and c) the return of reduced SIB and IR (induced by acute stress) to control values in the liver and adipose tissue after a short recovery period.     

Flow microfluorometric identification of liver cells with elevated gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity after carcinogen exposure.

We have developed a fluorometric cytochemical assay for gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) using the substrate gamma-glutamyl-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide in which the released methoxynaphthylamine was coupled with 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde to form a yellow fluorescent crystalline product within the cells. Single cell suspensions were obtained by collagenase perfusion of livers from rats that had either received a two-thirds partial hepatectomy followed 24 hr later by a single injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or received a partial hepatectomy alone. Cultured HTC cells were used as a source of gamma-GT+ cells. Fluorescence (gamma-GT activity) was low in most of the cells from both DEN-exposed and control rats, but high in HTC cells. The livers of both DEN-exposed and control rats had a subpopulation of cells that were gamma-GT+; this population could be quantitated and sorted by flow cytometry. Five weeks post injection the number of GT+ cells from the rats exposed to DEN was more than 20 times that from the control rats. Increased gamma-GT activity may be a useful cytochemical marker for preneoplastic liver cells.     

Effects of a long-lasting hyperinsulinemia induced by insulin infusion on the subcellular distribution of liver insulin receptors in the rat

Acute hyperinsulinemia in rats have been shown to cause enhanced endocytosis of liver insulin receptors with little or no change in the total receptor number. To determine whether a similar phenomenon occurs in long-lasting hyperinsulinemia, the subcellular distribution of liver insulin receptors has been studied in rats infused continuously with insulin (0.4 and 0.2 U/h) for 4 days. In rats in which plasma insulin concentration was maintained at 15-20 ng/ml, there was, from 3 to 24 h, a 2-fold decrease in insulin binding to plasma membranes (PM), along with 2 to 4-fold increase in insulin binding to the light (GEI), intermediate (GEi) and heavy (GEh) Golgi-endosomal fractions; concomitantly, there was a 10-fold increase in the insulin content of Golgi-endosomal fractions. After 24 h, the changes in insulin binding to PM and GEI were maintained, but the increase in both insulin binding activity and insulin content of GEi and GEh became progressively less marked, although plasma insulin concentration remained elevated. Throughout infusion, insulin binding to the total particulate fraction was unchanged. In rats, in which plasma insulin was maintained at 6-8 ng/ml, insulin binding to PM was decreased to a lesser degree and insulin binding to Golgi-endosomal fractions was unchanged (GEh) or decreased (GEI and GEi), although the insulin content of these fractions remained high. These results suggest that, while an enhanced receptor endocytosis accounts for the decrease in cell surface receptors observed at an early stage of the hyperinsulinemia, additional regulatory mechanisms are probably involved at a later stage.