Biomedical subjects

M Beraud

Publications and source records attributed to M Beraud.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Reactive oxygen intermediates and eicosanoid production by kupffer cells and infiltrated macrophages in acute and chronic liver injury induced in rats by CCl4.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The aim of the present study was to characterize during acute and chronic liver injury induced by CCl4, macrophage phenotypes and whether a change in reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and eicosanoids production by Kupffer cells (KC) was observed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Liver steato-necrosis and cirrhosis were induced in rats after 3 weeks and 9 weeks of CCl4 intoxication, respectively. Monocytes and tissue macrophages were identified by immunohistochemical study using monoclonal antibodies ED-1 and tissue macrophages using the antibody ED-2. The release of ROI and eicosanoids in response to the phorbol ester TPA (protein kinase activator) and to the calcium ionophore A23187 was assessed in cultivated cells. RESULTS: As compared to healthy controls, livers of rats with steato-necrosis or cirrhosis exhibited a significant increase of ED-1 and ED-2 positive cells. Only KC from rats with liver steato-necrosis were found to have higher A23187, TPA + A23187 or opsonized zymosan induced ROI production than healthy controls (p < 0.01). After TPA + A23187 or opsonized zymosan stimulation, KC from both rats with steato-necrosis or cirrhosis produced more TxB2 and leukotrienes and less PGE2 as compared to healthy controls (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an influx of monocytes into the liver during acute and chronic injury induced by CCl4. Functional changes of this inflammatory infiltrate have been demonstrated with an increase of ROI production only in the early stage of liver injury whereas a rise in KC leukotriene production and an imbalance between cytoprotective and cytotoxic prostanoids were observed at all stages of liver disease.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Study of host- and virus-related factors associated with spontaneous hepatitis C virus clearance.

Epidemiologic parameters, virologic characteristics and frequency of HLA class II DR and DQ antigens were compared between 63 subjects with spontaneous hepatitis C virus clearance (group 1) and 282 patients with chronic active hepatitis C virus infection (group 2). DRB1*1101 and moreover DQB1*0301 alleles were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (33.8% vs. 14.7% and 64.4% vs. 28.6%; P=0.012 and P=0.003, respectively). The frequency of DQB1*02 was lower in group 1 than in group 2 (25.4% vs. 49%; P=0.04). No difference was observed in viral genotype distribution between group 1 and group 2. Univariate analysis showed that female sex and contamination by intravenous drug use were associated with self limited infection. However, by multivariate analysis, the only independent factor associated with hepatitis C virus RNA clearance was female sex (P=0.004). In conclusion, spontaneous hepatitis C virus RNA clearance is determined by class II antigens (mainly DQB1*0301) and female sex, while viral genotype plays no role.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Expression of TNF-alpha and immunohistochemical distribution of hepatic macrophage surface markers in carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver injury in rats.

In liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, secondary hepatic injury occurs from inflammatory processes originating from products released by activated Kupffer cells, which play a central role in hepatic inflammation. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate, in rats, the relationships between a function of the hepatic macrophages, TNF-alpha production and the state of activation of these cells, characterized by their phenotype, in the different phases of the process and development of fibrosis in a carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis model. The immunohistochemical localization of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha and surface surface makers (ED1 and ED2) was studied in hepatitis and cirrhosis in response to 3 and 9 weeks ingestion of carbon tetrachloride. After carbon tetrachloride ingestion, accompanying the increased necrosis, immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissue sections demonstrated the significantly increased number of cells expressing ED1, ED2 and TNF-alpha, compared to normal. The number of cells expressing the surface phenotypic markers of liver macrophages increased and this change was concomitantly associated with an increased cellular expression of TNF-alpha. Local macrophage proliferation and influx of newly recruited blood monocytes resulted in an increase of the macrophage population. The populational changes involved difference in functional activity and enhanced TNF-alpha expression. This cytokine expressed in the carbon tetrachloride-induced inflammatory process is associated with the development of fibrosis and may contribute to disease severity.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

IL-13 increases the cPLA2 gene and protein expression and the mobilization of arachidonic acid during an inflammatory process in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Pretreatment of mouse peritoneal macrophages with interleukin-13 (IL-13) potentiates the mobilization of arachidonic acid (AA) and the production of HETEs but does not affect the production of cyclooxygenase metabolites triggered by the suboptimal concentration of an inflammatory agonist (opsonized-zymosan). Cycloheximide suppresses these effects of IL-13 suggesting that de novo protein synthesis is involved. Indeed, IL-13 induces a time-dependent increase in the levels of cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) protein and mRNA. This study demonstrates a new pathway for IL-13 to modulate the inflammatory process in macrophages via modifications of cPLA2 expression and subsequent AA mobilization.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Involvement of calcium in macrophage leukotriene release during experimental cirrhosis.

The aim of the present study was to assess the mechanism of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites (LT) secretion by peritoneal macrophages in rats wih CC14 induced cirrhosis. After stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187 or opsonized zymosan, [3H] arachidonic acid labeled macrophages from cirrhotic rats presented a significantly greater secretion of LT than macrophages from healthy controls. In addition, the phorbol ester TPA (protein kinase C activator) increased LT production only in macrophages from cirrhotic animals and not in controls. Although Ca2+ is thought to be involved in 5 lipoxygenase activation, the role of Ca2+ in LT production was studied. The use of a Ca2+-free medium as well as the addition of TMB-8 (an inhibitor of intra-cellular Ca2+ movements and of plasma membrane Ca2+ fluxes) resulted in a fall in LT production greater for macrophages from cirrhotic animals than for controls. The measurement of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration by cytofluorimetry showed that Fluo-3 loaded macrophages from cirrhotic rats had a greater cytosolic CA2+ concentration than macrophages from control animals both in basal conditions and after A23187 stimulation. Study of 45Ca2+ uptake suggest, that extra-cellular Ca2+ is implicated in the elevated cytosolic Ca2+ observed in macrophages from cirrhotic animals as compared to healthy controls. The greater Ca2+ concentration observed in macrophages from cirrhotic rats was not related to a difference in phospholipase C activation because inositol phosphate production did not differ between macrophages from healthy and cirrhotic animals. Taken together these results suggest that as compared to healthy animals, the greater LT production during cirrhosis could be dependent upon a difference in 5-lipoxygenase activation related to a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration independently of inositol phosphates generation.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1993

Eicosanoid production by mouse peritoneal macrophages during Toxoplasma gondii penetration: role of parasite and host cell phospholipases.

The metabolism of endogenous arachidonic acid by mouse resident peritoneal macrophages infected in vitro with Toxoplasma gondii was studied. Prelabeling of macrophages with [5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15-3H]arachidonic acid and challenge with tachyzoites for 15 min resulted in a high mobilization of free labeled arachidonic acid (178%) in the culture medium. The parasites also triggered the synthesis of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (47%), prostaglandin E2 (44%), leukotrienes C4 and D4 (33%) and 5-, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (155%). The study indicated that during the intracellular development phase of the parasites, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (38%), prostaglandin E2 (31%) leukotrienes C4 and D4 (15%), hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (43%), and free arachidonic acid (110%) were secreted into the culture medium. Pretreatment of tachyzoites with phospholipase A2 inhibitors (4-p-bromophenacyl bromide and quinacrine) and no calcium in the culture medium resulted in inhibition of tachyzoite penetration into the macrophages and a decrease of the arachidonic acid metabolism. The triggering of the arachidonic acid cascade by T. gondii was dependent on the active penetration of the parasites into the macrophages, whereas preincubation of the macrophages with phospholipase A2 inhibitors did not affect penetration or free arachidonic acid release, thereby supporting a role for parasite phospholipase in the penetration process and in arachidonic acid mobilization from macrophage membrane phospholipids. Moreover, treatment of macrophages with phospholipase A2 inhibitors decreased the activities of the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, also suggesting an activation of host cell phospholipase A2 by the parasite.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed1991

Possible implication of arachidonic acid metabolism in the decrease of chemiluminescence production after exposure of murine peritoneal macrophages to diethylnitrosamine and tumour promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

The effect of the carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) on prostaglandins (PGs), leukotrienes (LTs) and reactive oxygen intermediates production by murine peritoneal macrophages was assessed. In vitro exposure to DEN (0.8, 1.6 and 8 mM) resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of the PGs and LTs generation by macrophages. DEN-exposed peritoneal macrophages demonstrated enhanced production of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites following stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) as compared to macrophages stimulated with TPA alone. Studies of [3H]AA release from glycerolipids of prelabelled macrophages and of the distribution of AA metabolites between intra and extracellular compartments indicated that DEN induced de novo synthesis of AA metabolites. The stimulation of AA metabolism by DEN was decreased by H-7 and staurosporine, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, and so could be dependent on PKC activation. The generation of PGs by macrophages after DEN exposure was also inhibited by indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor). DEN at high concentrations (1.6-16 mM) inhibited chemiluminescence production by peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, triggered by tumour promoter TPA; lower concentrations (0.8 and 1.2 mM) increased this reactive oxygen intermediates dependent chemiluminescence production induced by TPA. The role of AA metabolism in the alteration of chemiluminescence production by murine peritoneal macrophages treated in vitro with DEN and triggered by TPA has been evaluated by using AA metabolism inhibitors. The stimulation of chemiluminescence by TPA was inhibited by the addition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, 4-p-BPB; this metabolic inhibitor did not affect the decrease of chemiluminescence production induced by DEN. The cyclo-oxygenase (CO) inhibitor, indomethacin, reversed the inhibition of TPA-induced chemiluminescence caused by DEN. These results suggest that AA and/or a lipoxygenase product can potentiate the reactive oxygen intermediates production by macrophages stimulated by TPA. The CO pathway could be involved in the inhibition by DEN of the reactive oxygen intermediates generating enzyme system. It is suggested that this inhibition could be related to AA metabolites issued from the CO pathway or to DEN oxygenated metabolites issued from the co-oxidation of the DEN by the PGs endoperoxide synthase. These results also raise the problem of macrophage dysfunction by chemical carcinogens and the implication of the CO pathway in this process.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed1990

1-naphthyl N-methyl carbamate effect on intra- and extracellular concentrations of arachidonic acid metabolites, and on the chemiluminescence generation by mouse peritoneal macrophages.

1-Naphthyl N-methyl carbamate (carbaryl), potent carbamate insecticide with anticholinesterase activity, was tested for its ability to affect mouse peritoneal macrophages in particular arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and oxidative burst. Carbaryl inhibited in a dose-related manner the reactive oxygen intermediate dependent chemiluminescence (CL) induced by opsonized zymosan (OZ), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and calcium ionophore (A23187); this carbamate did not affect CL-mediated by AA. The intracellular and extracellular concentrations of prostaglandins (PGs) and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (5-HETE) generated in macrophages stimulated with OZ has been investigated for various periods. Carbaryl effect displayed two successive phases on AA metabolism stimulation. In a first phase (up to 2-15 min), carbaryl did not alter the rapid AA metabolite synthesis (total amount of intra- and extracellular metabolites) but it increased intracellular concentration of PGE2, PGA2, PGF2 alpha and decreased 5-HETE intracellular concentration. In a second phase (after 2-15 min), carbaryl inhibited AA metabolite synthesis. The release of cyclooxygenase (CO) and lipoxygenase (LO) metabolites decreased, in particular PGF2 alpha and PGD2 which in addition seemed to be submit to a cellular retention; the inhibition of other metabolite release appeared essentially related to the inhibition of their synthesis since the intracellular amount did not augment. The inhibition by carbaryl of the NADPH-oxidase dependent CL induced by OZ may be related to the alteration of the intra- and extracellular concentrations of AA metabolites.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Chemiluminescence response and arachidonic acid metabolism of macrophages induced by gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane).

The influence of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCCH) on arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and oxygen metabolite production was investigated on mouse peritoneal macrophages gamma-HCCH stimulated 6KPGF1 alpha, PGE2, LTC4, LTB4 and HETEs production and increased the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL). Lindane acted synergistically with phorbol ester on prostaglandins-leukotrienes (PGs-LTs) and CL production. Similar stimulation of CL and PGs-LTs production was found after challenge by the calcium ionophore A23187. The implication of calcium mobilization in lindane effects was proposed.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

[Effects of cotrimoxazole on some macrophage functions: microbicide, tumoricide, production of free oxygen radicals, prostaglandins and leukotrienes].

In order to demonstrate an immunomodulating effect of cotrimoxazole, we investigated its influence on some macrophage (M phi) functions in culture: P815 tumor cells killing, Toxoplasma gondii killing, production of free oxygen radicals by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, prostaglandins and leukotrienes secretion evaluated after incorporation of tritiated arachidonic acid. In vitro, cotrimoxazole inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion the chemiluminescence of murine resident peritoneal or guinea pig alveolar M phi. Production of prostaglandin (PG) 6-keto-F1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by resident peritoneal M phi was also inhibited. However, PGD2 synthesis by alveolar M phi was enhanced. A second study was performed on peritoneal M phi, resident or elicited in vivo by one intra-peritoneal injection of an extract from Mycobacterium Tuberculosis membranes and obtained from mice pretreated or not by cotrimoxazole per os. Resident M phi from cotrimoxale-treated animals showed increased production of leucotriene B4 compared to M phi from controls. 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and free oxygen radicals production by elicited M phi was greatly enhanced by cotrimoxazole whereas thromboxane B2 was reduced. Finally cotrimoxazole enhanced intracellular killing of Toxoplasma gondii and cytotoxicity for tumor cells P815 by resident but not by elicited M phi. It is concluded that cotrimoxazole can modulate MO activation and some M phi functions involved in immune homeostasis. This data could help to understand why an antibiotic such as cotrimoxazole, which is known to be frequently used in immunocompromised hosts, is also efficient in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes: influence of carcinogenic N-nitrosocarbaryl.

The reactivities of carbaryl, N-methyl 1-naphthylcarbamate insecticide and its N-nitrosated derivative carcinogenic, N-nitrosocarbaryl, were investigated on the microsomal hepatic lipid peroxidation and NADPH-dependent reductase activities. The in vivo treatment by N-nitrosocarbaryl produced a reduction in lipoperoxidative degradation induced in vitro by NADPH with regard to the formation of malonaldehyde and conjugated dienes. Carbaryl, its precursor did not affect lipid peroxidation under the same in vivo conditions. Moreover, following administration of the 2 compounds, the activities of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase as well as NADPH-neotetrazolium reductase were significantly decreased by N-nitrosocarbaryl but not influenced by carbaryl. Correspondingly, in vitro studies were performed; different action patterns of the 2 tested xenobiotics were also noted after treatment of rat liver microsomes in vitro by carbaryl and N-nitrosocarbaryl especially in their ability to cope with microsomal oxygen activation. N-Nitrosocarbaryl proved to have a potent inhibitor concentration effect on NADPH-dependent chemiluminescence response in vitro; carbaryl was virtually ineffective on this parameter. No significant difference appeared in the affinity of N-nitrosocarbaryl and carbaryl for the microsomal phospholipids. From the in vitro explorations, it was suggested that carcinogenic N-nitrosocarbaryl may be involved in the inhibition mechanism of microsomal lipid peroxidation through decreases in both NADPH-dependent reductase activities and superoxide generation.

Alkylating Agents↗

PubMed1989

Interaction of carbaryl and N-nitrosocarbaryl with microsomal monooxygenase activities.

The in vitro interactions of carbaryl and carcinogenic N-nitrosocarbaryl with rat liver microsomal monooxygenase activities are compared. The inhibitory effect of the nitroso-compound is demonstrated to be non-competitive on aminopyrine N-demethylase, p-nitroanisole O-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase. The nature of the inhibition induced by the parent amide is found to be competitive on aminopyrine N-demethylase and p-nitroanisole O-demethylase. Correspondingly, in vitro studies of the metabolism of the two compounds were carried out: they both yield formaldehyde. Moreover, N-nitrosocarbaryl is denitrosated through a NO-cytochrome P-450 complex during microsomal metabolism. The toxic effects and biological activities of the two compounds are discussed on the basis of data of metabolic studies and different patterns of enzyme inhibition.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

The effect of carbaryl on the arachidonic acid metabolism and superoxide production by mouse resident peritoneal macrophages challenged by zymosan.

Carbaryl, a broad spectrum insecticide with anticholinesterase activity, was tested for its ability to disturb resident peritoneal macrophages stimulated by opsonized zymosan. The effect of carbaryl on superoxide production and on the release of [1-14C] arachidonic acid and 14C-labelled prostaglandins was dose-dependent. For 2.5 X 10(-6) M of carbaryl, superoxide production and prostaglandin release were not significantly inhibited. At 12.5 X 10(-6) M, the inhibitory effect was apparent for superoxide production (33%) and for the release of 6 KPGF1 alpha (60%), PGE2 (42%), PGF2 alpha (38%), PGD2 (33%). Carbaryl had no effect on the level of free arachidonic acid. Insecticide at 12.5 X 10(-6) M significantly decreased the deacylation of the phosphatidylcholine (20%). Incubation of resident peritoneal macrophages with indomethacin studied conjointly decreased only the prostaglandin release. These results suggest that carbaryl decreases the sequence of events following the binding of a particulate agent to its receptor and leading to the induction of phospholipase activity and the subsequent release of 20:4 and the oxidative burst in the cells. The effect of this pesticide on phospholipid metabolism and its consequences on macrophage stimulation are discussed. Ecto-serine esterase inhibition in the effect mechanism of the pesticide was suggested.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

[1-14C]Arachidonic acid incorporation into glycerolipids and prostaglandin synthesis in peritoneal macrophages: effect of chloramphenicol.

Peritoneal macrophages from normal mice were labelled with [1-14C]arachidonic acid after 2 h culture. The uptake of arachidonic acid into cellular lipids was rapid, time-dependent and can be represented within the limit of the studied times by a parabolic regression. Indomethacin decreased the kinetics of uptake; this inhibition is dose-dependent. Chloramphenicol had no effect on macrophage [1-14C]arachidonic acid uptake. After 3 h, the radioactivity was recovered in phosphatidylcholine (38.6%), phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylinositol (8.5%), phosphatidylethanolamine (22.1%), diacylglycerol (2.9%), triacyglycerol (2%) and cholesteryl ester (11.8%). Chloramphenicol and indomethacin inhibited the labelling of phospholipids and stimulated the labelling of neutral lipids and cholesteryl ester. Studies on arachidonic acid release from glycerolipids of prelabelled 2-h cultured macrophages showed that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylinositol are the major source of arachidonic acid in prostaglandin synthesis in macrophages stimulated or not by zymosan. Chloramphenicol inhibited release of fatty acid from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylinositol; indomethacin had no effect. Both drugs inhibited prostaglandin synthesis in stimulated or non-stimulated macrophages. In the culture medium, indomethacin increased the release of free arachidonic acid by stimulated macrophages. Possible explanations for the mechanisms underlying these effects are presented. It is concluded that indomethacin and chloramphenicol exert profound effects on the metabolism of phospholipids and its zymosan activation. Chloramphenicol appears to impair prostaglandin synthesis through several mechanisms and especially through phospholipase inhibition.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

The effects of locally injected antibiotic on carrageenan-induced granuloma in rats.

Indomethacin (0.5 mg/100 g b.w./day) and chloramphenicol (0.5 mg or 15 mg/100 g b.w./day) were tested for their anti-inflammatory effects on 7th day carrageenan-induced granuloma formation. Neither of the drugs modified granuloma or pouch wall weight but they decreased the exudate and the cluster of dead cells. Indomethacin and chloramphenicol decreased glucosamine in the dead cell granuloma fraction and increased the level of collagen in the pouch wall. The drugs differed in their inhibitory effect on lysozyme and prostaglandin E2 accumulation in the exudate. The increase in collagen was related to a drop in the level of prostaglandin E2 which seems to regulate collagen deposition in the granuloma. However, the prostaglandin E2-lysozyme correlation--which was only significant with chloramphenicol--suggests a mode of action for chloramphenicol different from that of indomethacin. Chloramphenicol could act by a myelodepressive and/or chemotactic effect. The effects of chloramphenicol on the macrophages are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Evaluation of cellular and humoral mechanisms of carbaryl-induced reticuloendothelial phagocytic depression.

The simultaneous injection of carbaryl and colloidal carbon phagocytized by the reticuloendothelial cells results in competition between the two substances in favor of the carbon particles. Experiments with opsonized carbaryl suggest that the decrease in carbaryl blood clearance by the colloid is mediated by a depletion of serum opsonins. Following blockade, the liver carbaryl uptake was depressed in the control group (17%), while it was increased in the opsonized group (12%). With all preparations of carbaryl, opsonized or non-opsonized, colloidal carbon produced a slight and variable increase in carbaryl uptake by the spleen and lungs. These results indicate that, besides the uptake of carbaryl by the hepatocytes, other clearance sites must also be considered such as the Kupffer cells and other liver sinusoidal cells. Moreover our results show that intravenous administration of carbaryl induces a state of phagocytic depression as indicated by impaired intravascular phagocytosis and depressed hepatic uptake of the reticuloendothelial (RE)-test colloidal suspension. The results obtained from injection of opsonized colloidal particles during carbaryl-induced RE-depression, and the fact that carbaryl and carbon are both opsonized by the same serum factor, suggest that the mechanisms of RE-blockade involve selective hepatic and splenic macrophage failure and depletion of serum opsonins. According to our enzymatic investigation, this failure of the RE system to incorporate colloids during carbaryl--RE-blockade could be due to a defect in the activity of macrophage membrane-bound serine esterase.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Distribution of radioactivity following oral administration of carcinogenic 14CH3-labelled nitrosocarbaryl in the rat.

After a single intragastric administration of 14C-labelled carcinogenic nitrosocarbaryl, a nitrosated pesticide, the distribution of radioactivity was investigated in the blood and a number of organs in male rats. The animals received 0.25 mg/kg of labelled nitrosamine and were killed following administration at timed intervals between 0.5 h and 24 h. Our results show that the greatest amount of the 14CH3--group was associated with the forestomach, tumor-susceptible tissue; the level of radioactivity is noteworthy but less important in the glandular stomach. There are also sites of radioactivity accumulation mainly in the liver. Moreover, [14C]nitrosocarbaryl was revealed in the blood suggesting that nitrosamine itself rapidly (0.5 h) crosses the intestinal barrier and in a significant quantity (13%). These facts constitute a potential carcinogenic risk.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Inhibition of two rat hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes by a carcinogenic N-nitrosated pesticide: N-nitrosocarbaryl.

N-Nitrosocarbaryl (N-methyl-1-naphthyl N-nitrosocarbamate) was intraperitoneally administered to male and female rats on four consecutive days at the following doses: 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg/kg body weight/day in olive oil solution; the controls received just the oil. In a second experiment, a daily intraperitoneal dose of 25 mg/kg of N-nitrosocarbaryl was given for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days; the animals were killed 24 h after the last treatment. The two following microsomal enzymatic activities were assayed: aniline aromatic hydroxylase and p-nitroanisole O-demethylase; the levels of cytochrome P-450, proteins and RNA were measured in the hepatic microsomal fraction. N-Nitrosocarbaryl is an inhibitor of the two investigated microsomal monooxygenases at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg when administered on 4 consecutive days. During the daily administration, enzyme inhibition is seen in females after one day of treatment whereas cytochrome P-450 only becomes lowered after 4 days of administration. In males, no modification of this parameter is observed whereas the activities of microsomal monooxygenases are inhibited. These results suggest that N-nitrosocarbaryl could act on the active sites of the enzymes which metabolize aniline and p-nitroanisole.

Aniline Hydroxylase↗