Quantitative structure toxicity relationships for phenols in isolated rat hepatocytes

Quantitative structure toxicity relationship (QSTR) equations were obtained to predict and describe the cytotoxicity of 31 phenols using logLD(50) as a concentration to induce 50% cytotoxicity of isolated rat hepatocytes in 2 h and logP as octanol/water partitioning: logLD(50) (microM)=-0.588(+/-0.059)logP+4.652(+/-0.153) (n=27, r(2)=0.801, s=0.261, P<1 x 10(-9)). Hydroquinone, catechol, 4-nitrophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol were outliers for this equation. When the ionization constant pK(a) was considered as a contributing factor a two-parameter QSTR equation was derived: logLD(50) (microM)=-0.595(+/-0.051)logP+0.197(+/-0.029)pK(a)+2.665(+/-0.281) (n=28, r(2)=0.859, s=0.218, P<1 x 10(-6)). Using sigma+, the Brown variation of the Hammet electronic constant, as a contributing parameter, the cytotoxicity of phenols towards hepatocytes were defined by logLD(50) (microM)=-0.594(+/-0.052)logP-0.552(+/-0.085)sigma+ +4.540(+/-0.132) (n=28, r(2)=0.853, s=0.223, P<1 x 10(-6)). Replacing sigma+ with the homolytic bond dissociation energy (BDE) for (X-PhOH+PhO.-->X-PhO.+PhOH) led to logLD(50) (microM)=-0.601(+/-0.066)logP-0.040(+/-0.018)BDE+4.611(+/-0.166) (n=23, r(2)=0.827, s=0.223, P<0.05). Hydroquinone, catechol and 2-nitrophenol were outliers for the above equations. Using redox potential and logP led to a new correlation: logLD(50) (microM)=-0.529(+/-0.135)logP+2.077(+/-0.892)E(p/2)+2.806(+/-0.592) (n=15, r(2)=0.561, s=0.383, P<0.05) with 4-nitrophenol as an outlier. Our findings indicate that phenols with higher lipophilicity, BDE, or sigma+ values or with lower pK(a) and redox potential were more toxic towards hepatocytes. We also showed that a collapse of hepatocyte mitochondrial membrane potential preceded the cytotoxicity of most phenols. Our study indicates that one or a combination of mechanisms; i.e. mitochondrial uncoupling, phenoxy radicals, or phenol metabolism to quinone methides and quinones, contribute to phenol cytotoxicity towards hepatocytes depending on the phenol chemical structure.     

Comparative quantitative structure toxicity relationships for flavonoids evaluated in isolated rat hepatocytes and HeLa tumor cells

Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) equations were obtained to describe the cytotoxicity of 22 polyphenols using toxicity (logLD50) representing the concentration for 50% cell survival in 2 h for isolated rat hepatocytes, log P representing octanol/water partitioning, and/or E(p/2) representing redox potential. One- and two-parameter equations were derived for the quantitative structure toxicity relationships (QSTR) for polyphenol induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity: e.g. log C(hepatocyte) (microM)=-0.65(-0.08)log P+4.12(-0.15) (n=19, r(2)=0.80, s=0.33, P<1 x 10(-6)). One- and two-parameter QSAR equations were also derived to describe the inhibitory effects of 13 polyphenols on tumor cell growth when incubated with HeLa cells for 3 days: e.g. log C(tumor) (microM)=-0.34(+/-0.04)log P+2.40(+/-0.07) (n=11, r(2)=0.90, s=0.13, P<1 x 10(-5)). These findings point to lipophilicity as a major characteristic determining polyphenol cytotoxicity. The E(p/2) also played a significant role in polyphenol cytotoxicity towards both cell types: e.g. log C(hepatocyte) (microM)=-0.60(+/-0.06)log P+2.01(+/-0.43)E(p/2) (V)+3.86(+/-0.12) (n=9, r(2)=0.96, s=0.15, P<0.005). The involvement of log P and E(p/2) could be explained if polyphenol cytotoxicity involved the formation of radicals, which interacted with the mitochondrial inner membrane resulting in a disruption of the membrane potential.     

Structure-activity relationships for halobenzene induced cytotoxicity in rat and human hepatocytes

Halobenzenes are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, which are hepatotoxic in both rodents and humans. The molecular mechanism of halobenzene hepatotoxicity was investigated using Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and accelerated cytotoxicity mechanism screening (ACMS) techniques in rat and human hepatocytes. The usefulness of isolated hepatocytes for prediciting in vivo xenobiotic toxicity was reassessed by correlating the LC(50) of 12 halobenzene congeners in phenobarbital (PB) induced rat hepatocytes in vitro determined by ACMS to the hepatotoxicities reported in vivo in PB-induced male Sprague-Dawely (SD) rats. A high correlation (r(2)=0.90) confirmed the application of hepatocytes as a "gold standard" for toxicity testing in vitro. QSARs were derived to determine the physico-chemcial variables that govern halobenzene toxicity in PB-induced rat, normal rat and human hepatocytes. We found that toxicity in normal rat and normal human hepatocytes both strongly correlate with hydrophobicity (logP), ease of oxidation (E(HOMO), energy of the highest molecular orbital) and on the asymmetric charge distribution according to arrangement of halogen substituents (dipole moment, mu). This suggests that halobenzene interaction with cytochrome P450 for oxidation is the metabolic activating path for toxicity and is similar in both species. In PB-induced rat hepatocytes the QSAR derivation is changed, where halobenzene toxicity strongly correlates to logP and dipole moment, but not E(HOMO). The changed QSAR suggests that oxidation is no longer the rate-limiting step in the cytotoxic mechanism when CYP2B/3A levels are increased, confirming CYP450 oxidation as the metabolic activating step under normal conditions.     

Quantitative structure toxicity relationships for catechols in isolated rat hepatocytes

One- and two-parameter quantitative structure toxicity relationship (QSTR) equations were obtained to describe the cytotoxicity of isolated rat hepatocytes induced by 23 catechols in which LD(50) represents the catechol concentration required to induce 50% cytotoxicity in 2 h. A QSTR equation logLD(50) (microM = - 0.464(+/-0.065) log P + 3.724(+/-0.114) (n = 20, r(2) = 0.740, s(y,x) = 0.372, P < 1 x 10(-6), outliers: 4-methoxycatechol, 3-methoxycatechol, L-dopa) was derived where logP represents octanol/water partitioning. Outliers were determined by adopting a statistical method to standardize the identification of outliers. When pK(a1), the first ionization constant, was considered as a contributing parameter a two-parameter QSTR equation was derived: logLD(50) (microM = - 0.343(+/-0.058) log P - 0.116(+/-0.041) pK(a1)+4.389 (+/-0.315) (n = 22, r(2) = 0.738, s(y,x) = 0.375, P < 0.01, outlier: 4-methoxycatechol). Replacing logP with logD(7.4), the partition coefficient at pH 7.4, improved the first correlation by limiting the outlier to 4-methoxycatechol: logLD(50) (microM)=-0.252(+/-0.039) logD(7.4)+3.168(+/-0.090) (n = 22, r(2) = 0.671, s(y,x) = 0.420, P < 1 x 10(-5). In this study, 4-methoxycatechol (readily autooxidizable) was found to be an outlier for all QSTR equations derived. These findings point to lipophilicity and pK(a1) as two important characteristics of catechols that can be used to predict their cytotoxicity towards isolated rat hepatocytes. The catechols with the higher lipophilicity/distribution coefficient, the lower degree of ionization and the higher pK(a(catechol)) were more toxic towards hepatocytes than the other catechols.     

Mechanism of cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes

Exposure of rat hepatocytes to cadmium below 50 μM for a short period (10 min) resulted in cellular acidification. Conversely, exposure to Cd more than 50 μM for a long period (60 min) caused cellular alkalinization accompanied by membrane damage as reflected by decrease in cellular K content and loss of intracellular lactic dehydrogenase. In hepatocytes exposed to 5 μM Cd, a concentration sufficient to induce acidification without cytotoxicity, the metal was preferentially associated with the crude nuclei and cell debris fractions, suggesting an interaction between Cd and cell membranes to cause acidification. Omission of bicarbonate from the incubation medium induced cellular acidification. The presence of Cd in this medium did not potentiate the medium-induced acidification. Mg-ATP (25 μM) induced cellular acidification in relation to an increase in the concentration of cytosolic free Ca. The coexistence of Mg-ATP and Cd at the concentrations which had no effect on cellular pH in the presence of either agants induced cellular acidification. These observations suggest that Cd induced cellular acidification by modulating the process connected with the rise in cytosolic free Ca via interaction with plasma membranes. This acidification had no strong immediate cytotoxic actions but led to subsequent cellular alkalinization accompanied with severe cytotoxicity and membrane breakage.     

Mechanism of sulfite cytotoxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes

Sulfite (SO(3)(2-)) has been widely used as preservative and antimicrobial in preventing browning of foods and beverages. SO(2), a common air pollutant, also is capable of producing sulfite and bisulfite depending on the pH of solutions. A molybdenum-dependent mitochondrial enzyme, sulfite oxidase, oxidizes sulfite to inorganic sulfate and prevents its toxic effects. In the present study, sulfite toxicity towards isolated rat hepatocytes was markedly increased by partial inhibition of cytochrome a/a(3) by cyanide or by putting rats on a high-tungsten/low-molybdenum diet, which result in inactivation of sulfite oxidase. Sulfite cytotoxicity was accompanied by a rapid disappearance of GSSG followed by a slow depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH). Depleting hepatocyte GSH beforehand increased cytotoxicity of sulfite. On the other hand, dithiothreitol (DTT), a thiol reductant, added even 1h after the addition of sulfite to hepatocytes, prevented cell death and restored hepatocyte GSH levels. Sulfite cytotoxicity was also accompanied by an increase of oxygen uptake, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and lipid peroxidation. Cytochrome P450 inhibitors, metyrapone and piperonyl butoxide also prevented sulfite-induced cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation. Desferroxamine and antioxidants also protected the cells against sulfite toxicity. These findings suggest that cytotoxicity of sulfite is mediated by free radicals as ROS formation increases by sulfite and antioxidants prevent its toxicity. Reaction of sulfite or its free radical metabolite with disulfide bonds of GSSG and GSH results in the compromise of GSH/GSSG antioxidant system leaving the cell susceptible to oxidative stress. Restoring GSH content of the cell or protein-SH groups by DTT can prevent sulfite cytotoxicity.     

Calcium amelioration of cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in cultured rat hepatocytes

Summary Parenchymal hepatocytes from neonatal rats were isolated, cultured about 24 h, exposed to cadmium with or without calcium, and processed for scanning electron microscopy. To assess the severity of cadmium-induced changes, exposed hepatocytes were categorized based upon the extent of morphological damage. Differences in surface blebbing, alterations in microvilli, variations in the degree of swelling, and changes in cell shape were used to categorize the severity of cell damage. A double-blind morphometric analysis (a geometricostatistical processing of two-dimensional data for the collection of three-dimensional information) of cellular changes was conducted for each exposure time and for each concentration of cadmium in the presence or absence of calcium. Significant decreases occurred in the percent relative volume of normal, flattened cells present in cultures exposed for 30 min to 50 or 100 μM cadmium in the absence of calcium. In contrast, the percent relative volume of severely damaged spherical cells was significantly increased after exposure to solutions containing 50 or 100 μM cadmium and lacking calcium. Percent relative volume of intermediate cells (which were slightly swollen and showed changes in microvillar number) was significantly increased following a 30 min exposure to all cadmium concentrations in the absence of calcium. The examination of hepatocytes exposed for 60 min showed that the degree of cadmium-induced cytotoxicity was more severe in the absence of calcium than was the case for the hepatocyte cultures exposed for 30 min: approximately 30% more spherical cells and 30% fewer flattened cells were present if cultures were exposed in the absence of calcium for 60 min compared to those exposed for 30 min. The degree of blebbing was significantly greater at all cadmium concentrations in the absence of calcium. The presence of calcium, therefore, reduced cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes subjected to morphometric analysis after scanning electron microscopy.     

Relative cytotoxicity of psychotropic drugs in cultured rat hepatocytes

The relative cytotoxic effects of ten psychotropic drugs were assessed in rat hepatocyte monolayer cultures. Clear concentration-related toxicity was seen in the narrow range of 10^–5M to S × 10^–5M. The four cytotoxicity endpoints chosen were: release of the cytosolic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, and impairment of biosynthesis and secretion of proteins, bile acids and glycerolipids. LDH leakage and inhibition of protein secretion into the culture medium proved to be the parameters which allowed the best differentiation between the test compounds. The inhibition of glycerolipid secretion was the most sensitive test in relation to concentration and time of exposure. Based on the effects of these endpoints, the following ranking of relative in vitro toxicity, using equimolar drug concentrations, could be established: clomipramine > imipramine = thioridazine > chlorpromazine > amitriptyline = fluperlapine > haloperidol > promazine > clozapine sulpiride. This ranking order of in vitro cytotoxicity correlated well with the potential of the drugs to impair liver function in man. Only clozapine had to be classified as a false negative. There was, however, no correlation between the cytotoxicity and the intracellular accumulation of the test drugs. Furthermore, the comparison of the data obtained with psychotropics with the data from five other amphiphilic cationic drugs was consistent with the widely accepted concept of a direct toxic interaction of the drugs with cytomembranes. This nonspecific toxicity of the membrane-active drugs was further corroborated by a positive correlation between their potential to induce LDH leakage in hepatocytes and their ability to induce hemolysis in red cells. In conclusion, the results obtained in our study strongly suggest that it is possible to assess the relative cytotoxicity of psychotropic drugs in rat hepatocyte cultures. It is proposed that this in vitro system provides a useful tool to evaluate new drugs at an early stage of their development, and to identify the most promising candidates within a class of structurally related compounds. In addition, it allows information to be obtained on possible mechanisms of cytotoxicity.Abbreviations AIB aminoisobutyric acid - AMT amitriptyline - BSA bovine serum albumin - CLP clomipramine - CLZ clozapine - CPZ chlorpromazine - FLU fluperlapine - HAL haloperidol - HC₅₀ dose causing 50% hemolysis - IMP imipramine - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - PZ promazine - SUL sulpiride - TCA trichloroacetic acid - TRZ thioridazine     

Metabolism and cytotoxicity of eugenol in isolated rat hepatocytes

The metabolism and toxic effects of eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) were studies in isolated rat hepatocytes. Incubation of hepatocytes with eugenol resulted in the formation of conjugates with sulfate, glucuronic acid and glutathione. The major metabolite formed was the glucuronic acid conjugate. Covalent binding to cellular protein was observed using [3H]eugenol. Loss of intracellular glutathione and cell death were also observed in these incubations. Concentrations of 1 mM eugenol caused a loss of over 90% of intracellular glutathione and resulted in approximately 85% cell death over a 5-h incubation period. The loss of the majority of glutathione occurred prior to the onset of cell death (2 h). The effects of eugenol were concentration dependent. The addition of 1 mM N-acetylcysteine to incubations containing 1 mM eugenol was able to completely prevent glutathione loss and cell death as well as inhibit the covalent binding of eugenol metabolites to protein. Conversely, pretreatment of hepatocytes with diethylmaleate to deplete intracellular glutathione increased the cytotoxic effects of eugenol. These results demonstrate that eugenol is actively metabolized in hepatocytes and suggest that the cytotoxic effects of eugenol are due to the formation of a reactive intermediate, possibly a quinone methide.     

Anthraquinone cytotoxicity and apoptosis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

We compared three different anthraquinones, rhein (4,5-dihydroxy-anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid), danthron (1,8-dihydroxy-anthraquinone) and chrysophanol (1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone), with respect to their toxicity and ability to induce apoptosis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Rhein was the most effective in producing free radicals, and was the only one of the tested anthraquinones that could induce apoptosis. Addition of 50μM rhein to hepatocyte cultures led to depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) and ATP and accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. The substances N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), dithiothreitol (DTT), nifedipine and desferal all protected the hepatocytes, i.e. prevented viability loss and ATP depletion, and decreased the GSH depletion.

Cultures exposed to rhein for 15min and subsequently rinsed and incubated for 16h under normal culture conditions (complete medium) exhibited apoptosis, as shown by DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and positive TUNEL reaction. Pretreatment with the antioxidant DPPD and the iron-chelator desferal gave complete protection against apoptosis.

No signs of oxidative cell damage were detected when the cultures were exposed to danthron or chrysophanol. All three anthraquinones did, however, cause an immediate increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration.

We conclude that rhein, which contains one carboxyl group, is a suitable substrate for one-electron-reducing enzymes and an effective redox cycler, which leads to the production of oxygen-derived free radicals that eventually induce apoptotic cell death.     

Anthraquinone cytotoxicity and apoptosis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

We compared three different anthraquinones, rhein (4,5-dihydroxy-anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid), danthron (1,8-dihydroxy-anthraquinone) and chrysophanol (1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone), with respect to their toxicity and ability to induce apoptosis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Rhein was the most effective in producing free radicals, and was the only one of the tested anthraquinones that could induce apoptosis. Addition of 50μM rhein to hepatocyte cultures led to depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) and ATP and accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. The substances N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), dithiothreitol (DTT), nifedipine and desferal all protected the hepatocytes, i.e. prevented viability loss and ATP depletion, and decreased the GSH depletion.

Cultures exposed to rhein for 15min and subsequently rinsed and incubated for 16h under normal culture conditions (complete medium) exhibited apoptosis, as shown by DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and positive TUNEL reaction. Pretreatment with the antioxidant DPPD and the iron-chelator desferal gave complete protection against apoptosis.

No signs of oxidative cell damage were detected when the cultures were exposed to danthron or chrysophanol. All three anthraquinones did, however, cause an immediate increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration.

We conclude that rhein, which contains one carboxyl group, is a suitable substrate for one-electron-reducing enzymes and an effective redox cycler, which leads to the production of oxygen-derived free radicals that eventually induce apoptotic cell death.     

Dimerumic acid protected oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes

Dimerumic acid (DMA) is contained in Monascus anka and Monascus pilosus fermented products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of DMA against salicylic acid (SA)- and tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in the liver, using rat liver microsomes and isolated rat hepatocytes. DMA was extracted from monascus-garlic-fermented extract using M. pilosus. In rat liver microsomes, 1 microM DMA decreased SA-induced lipid peroxidation but did not affect the production of the oxidative metabolite of SA via CYP. In isolated rat hepatocytes, 1 microM DMA decreased SA-induced lipid peroxidation and chemiluminescence (CL) generation and the intracellular glutathione-reduced form/oxidized form (GSH/GSSG) ratio in the presence of 1 microM DMA was higher than that without DMA; however, 100 microM DMA suppressed the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). On the other hand, t-BHP-induced lipid peroxidation, CL generation, and LDH leakage were prevented by 100 microM DMA. Thus, DMA showed an antioxidative effect in hepatocytes and protected against hepatotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress without affecting CYP enzymes.     

Computer calculation-based quantitative structure-activity relationships for the oxidation of phenol derivatives horseradish peroxidase compound II

 The second-order rate constants for the oxidation of a series of phenol derivatives by horseradish peroxidase compound II were compared to computer-calculated chemical parameters characteristic for this reaction step. The phenol derivatives studied were phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 3-hydroxyphenol, 3-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol, 4-hydroxybenzoate, 4-methoxyphenol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Assuming a reaction of the phenolic substrates in their non-dissociated, uncharged forms, clear correlations (r = 0.977 and r = 0.905) were obtained between the natural logarithm of the second-order rate constants (ln k _app and ln k ₂ respectively) for their oxidation by compound II and their calculated ionisation potential, i.e. minus the energy of their highest occupied molecular orbital [E(HOMO)]. In addition to this first approach in which the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was based on a calculated frontier orbital parameter of the substrate, in a second and third approach the relative heat of formation (ΔΔHF) calculated for the process of one-electron abstraction and H^• abstraction from the phenol derivatives was used as a parameter. Plots of the natural logarithms of the second-order rate constants (k _app and k ₂) for the reaction and the calculated ΔΔHF values for the process of one-electron abstraction also provide clear QSARs with correlation coefficients of –0.968 and –0.926 respectively. Plots of the natural logarithms of the second-order rate constants (k _app and k ₂) for the reaction and the calculated ΔΔHF values for the process of H^• abstraction provide QSARs with correlation coefficients of –0.989 and –0.922 respectively. Since both mechanisms considered, i.e. initial electron abstraction versus initial H^• abstraction, provided clear QSARs, the results could not be used to discriminate between these two possible mechanisms for phenol oxidation by horseradish peroxidase compound II. The computer calculation-based QSARs thus obtained for the oxidation of the various phenol derivatives by compound II from horseradish peroxidase indicate the validity of the approaches investigated, i.e. both the frontier orbital approach and the approach in which the process is described by calculated relative heats of formation. The results also indicate that outcomes from computer calculations on relatively unrelated phenol derivatives can be reliably compared to one another. Furthermore, as the actual oxidation of peroxidase substrates by compound II is known to be the rate-limiting step in the overall catalysis by horseradish peroxidase, the QSARs of the present study may have implications for the differences in the overall rate of substrate oxidation of the phenol derivatives by horseradish peroxidase. Received: 29 March 1996 / Accepted: 17 July 1996     

Mechanisms of chemical mediated cytotoxicity and chemoprotection in isolated rat hepatocytes

Although N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) cause injury and malondialdehyde formation in rat hepatocytes, MNNG toxicity is much more sensitive to inhibition by antioxidants. In order to quantify the relationship between toxicity and antioxidation potential, we compared 14 antioxidants that protected against MNNG and MMS toxicity. Chemoprotection was quantified as the concentration that delayed by 1 h the decline in trypan blue exclusion to less than or equal to 50%. While chemoprotection against MNNG and antioxidant efficacy were directly related (R = 0.86), chemoprotection against MMS and antioxidant efficacy were unrelated (R = 0.37). Since we hypothesized that protection against MMS involved stabilization of membranes, the capacity of the 14 compounds to stabilize membranes in an unrelated system (i.e. prevention of erythrocyte osmotic rupture) was assayed. Chemoprotection against both MNNG and MMS correlated with reduced RBC fragility (R = 0.97 and 0.70, respectively). One of the better protecting compounds, 4b,5,9b,10-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-b]indole, was also protective against hepatocellular toxicity mediated by acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, suggesting a fundamental basis in the mechanism of chemoprotection. We propose that methylating agents and perhaps other chemical toxicants destabilize cellular membranes resulting in hepatocellular injury. For MNNG, radical mediated events may result in membrane destabilization; for MMS, membranes are destabilized without concurrent radical events. The current studies provide a basis for future work to determine structure-activity relationships of chemoprotective agents, examine protection mechanisms, and develop better protective compounds.     

Calcium channel blocking agents protect against acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes

The effect on acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity of three calcium channel blocking agents-diltiazem, verapamil and gallopamil-was studied in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and compared with the chelating agent EGTA. Using the measurement of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as an index of cytotoxicity, it was demonstrated that a 1-hr pretreatment with calcium channel blocking agents protected cells against acetaminophen cytotoxicity, but were less effective than EGTA. These data suggest that influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ into the cells could have a role in the genesis of hepatocyte injury by acetaminophen.     

Probing the peripheral anionic site of acetylcholinesterase with quantitative structure activity relationships for inhibition by biphenyl-4-acyoxylate-4'-N-Butylcarbamates

Biphenyl-4-acyoxylate-4'-N-butylcarbamates 1-8 are synthesized from 4,4'-biphenol and are characterized as the pseudosubstrate inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. In other words, the inhibitors bind to the enzyme and react with the enzyme to form the tetrahedral intermediates for the K(i) steps, and then the tetrahedral intermediates exclude the leaving groups to form a common N-butycarbamyl enzyme intermediate for the k(c) steps. Due to a linear character of the 4,4'-biphenyl moiety, the 4'-N-butylcarbamate moieties of the inhibitors react with the Ser200 residue of the enzyme while the 4-acyoxylate moieties of the inhibitors, on the other hand, should fit in the peripheral anionic site of the enzyme, which is located at the mouth of the deep active site gorge. Thus, carbamates with varied acyl substituents at the 4-position of the biphenyl ring are good candidates for probing the quantitative structure activity relationships for the peripheral anionic site of the enzyme. The fact that the pK(i), log k(c), and log K(i) values are correlated with neither the Taft substituent constant (sigma*) nor the Taft steric constant (E(s)) indicates that the 4-acyoxylate moieties of the inhibitors are too far away from the reaction center. However, the pK(i), log k(c), and log K(i) values are linearly correlated with the Hansch hydrophobicity constant, pi. The intensity constants (psi) for these correlations are 0.16, -0.035, and 0.13, respectively. These results indicate that interactions between the 4-acyoxylate groups of the inhibitors and the peripheral anionic site of the enzyme are mainly hydrophobic ones. The correlation results are slightly improved by using the two-parameter correlations with the Taft substituent steric constant, E(s), and pi. For pK(i), log k(c), and log K(i)-E(s)-pi correlations, the psi values are 0.21, -0.021, and 0.19, respectively; the intensity constants for steric effect (delta) are 0.08, 0.022, and 0.10, respectively. Besides hydrophobic interactions, the two-parameter correlations also suggest that little steric hindrance occurs for the bulkier inhibitors to pass by the peripheral anionic site of the enzyme.     

Endogenous defenses against the cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide in cultured rat hepatocytes

The catalase activity of cultured rat hepatocytes was inhibited by 90% pretreatment with 20 mM aminotriazole without effect on the activities of glutathione peroxidase or glutathione reductase, or on the viability of the cells over the subsequent 24 h. Glutathione reductase was inhibited by 85% by pretreatment with 300 microM 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) without effect on glutathione peroxidase, catalase, or on viability. Both pretreatments sensitized the hepatocytes to the cytotoxicity of H2O2 generated either by glucose oxidase (0.05-0.5 units/ml) or by the autoxidation of the one-electron-reduced state of menadione (50-250 microM). Aminotriazole pretreatment had no effect on the GSH content of the hepatocytes. BCNU reduced GSH levels by 50%. Depletion of GSH levels to less than 20% of control by treatment with diethyl maleate, however, did not sensitize the cells to either glucose oxidase or menadione, indicating that the effect of BCNU is related to inhibition of the GSH-GSSG redox cycle rather than to the depletion of GSH. With glucose oxidase, most of the cell killing in hepatocytes pretreated with either aminotriazole or BCNU occurred between 1 and 3 h. The antioxidant diphenylphenylenediamine (DPPD) had no effect on viability at 3 h. Catalase added to the culture medium 1 h after the addition of glucose oxidase prevented the cell killing measured at 3 h. The sulfhydryl reagents dithiothreitol (200 microM), N-acetyl-L-cysteine (4 mM), and alpha-mercaptopropionyl-L-glycine (2.5 mM) prevented the cell killing with exogenous H2O2 in hepatocytes sensitized by the inhibition of catalase or glutathione reductase. With menadione, there was no killing of nonpretreated hepatocytes at 1 h, and DPPD did not prevent the cell death after 3 h. Aminotriazole pretreatment enhanced the cell killing at 3 h but not at 1 h, and DPPD was not protective. Catalase added to the medium at 1 h inhibited the cell death measured at 3 h. In contrast, menadione killed hepatocytes pretreated with BCNU within 1 h. DPPD prevented cell death at 1 h, and there was evidence of lipid peroxidation in the accumulation of malondialdehyde in the culture medium. Catalase added with menadione did not prevent the cell killing at 1 h but did prevent it at 3 h. These data indicate that catalase and the GSH-GSSG cycle are active in the defense of hepatocytes against the toxicity of H2O2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)