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Helmut K Seitz

Publications and source records attributed to Helmut K Seitz.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Dynamics of cytochrome P4502E1 activity in man: induction by ethanol and disappearance during withdrawal phase.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic ethanol consumption results in the induction of hepatic cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) in man, which is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. However, the amount and duration of alcohol intake associated with CYP2E1 induction is not known but limited information is available on the disappearance of CYP2E1 following alcohol withdrawal. METHODS: To study these questions, five healthy male volunteers received ethanol daily (40 g/day) over 4 weeks. CYP2E1 induction was monitored by using the chlorzoxazone test before and every week following the start of alcohol ingestion. In addition, CYP2E1 was also determined in five alcoholics 1, 3, 8 and 15 days following ethanol withdrawal and in five patients with non-alcoholic liver disease. RESULTS: A significant CYP2E1 induction occurred 1 week following the ingestion of 40 g ethanol per day and increased further after 4 weeks. The disappearance of CYP2E1 was found to be significant 3 days following ethanol withdrawal and further decreased up to day 8. Thereafter, no significant change occurred and CYP2E1 activities were comparable with those in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: These data show a significant and quick induction of CYP2E1 activity, already at moderate alcohol consumption, which may be of importance in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease, of ethanol, drug and vitamin A interactions and in alcohol associated carcinogenesis.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Chlormethiazole treatment prevents reduced hepatic vitamin A levels in ethanol-fed rats.

BACKGROUND: Chronic ethanol intake results in decreased hepatic vitamin A levels through both enhanced degradation of vitamin A via a cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP)-dependent process and increased mobilization of vitamin A from the liver into the circulation. This study investigated whether treatment with chlormethiazole, a CYP inhibitor, restores vitamin A in the livers of ethanol-fed rats. METHODS: Ethanol-exposed and non-ethanol-exposed rats were treated with or without chlormethiazole (10 and 100 mg/kg body weight) for 1 month. Liver and plasma levels of retinol and retinyl palmitate were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Expressions of hepatic lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) and cellular retinol-binding protein were analyzed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Hepatic retinol esterification by LRAT was examined by using incubations of the microsomal fractions of livers with exogenous sources of retinol. RESULTS: Ethanol-feeding in rats for a month resulted in lower hepatic levels of retinol and retinyl palmitate than those found in controls and the occurrence of several polar retinoid metabolites. In contrast, treatment with chlormethiazole at two different doses in ethanol-fed rats completely blocked the formation of hepatic retinoid polar metabolites and restored hepatic levels of retinol and hepatic retinyl palmitate in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, increased plasma concentrations of retinyl palmitate in rats fed with ethanol, which indicate increased mobilization of vitamin A, were partially inhibited by chlormethiazole treatment. However, neither ethanol nor chlormethiazole treatment altered the expression and activity of LRAT in the liver of rats. Hepatic expression of cellular retinol-binding protein increased significantly in ethanol-fed rats with or without chlormethiazole treatment compared with control rats. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that chlormethiazole can restore both hepatic retinol and retinyl ester concentrations to normal levels in ethanol-fed rats through blocking enhanced both degradation of vitamin A and mobilization of vitamin A from the liver into the circulation.

Alcohol Drinking↗