title: Predominant role of peripheral catecholamines in the stress-induced modulation of CYP1A2 inducibility by benzo(alpha)pyrene.
abstract: The potential involvement of catecholamines and in particular of alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-related signalling pathways, in the regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes by stress was investigated in Wistar rats after exposure to the environmental pollutant benzo(alpha)pyrene. For this purpose, total cytochrome P450 content, the CYP1A2 mRNA levels, 7-methoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (MROD), 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (PROD) and p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity levels were determined in the livers of rats exposed to repeated restraint stress after treatment with benzo(alpha)pyrene coupled with pharmacological manipulations of peripheral and/or central catecholamines and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors. The data show that stress is a significant factor in the regulation of CYP1A2 induction and that catecholamines play a central role in the stress-mediated modulation of hepatic CYP1A2 inducibility by benzo(alpha)pyrene. The up-regulating effect of stress on benzo(alpha)pyrene-induced CYP1A2 gene expression was eliminated after a generalized catecholamine depletion with reserpine. Similarly, in a state where only peripheral catecholamines were depleted and central catecholamines remained intact after guanethidine administration, the up-regulating effect of stress was eliminated. It is apparent that stress up-regulates the induction of CYP1A2 by benzo(alpha)pyrene mainly via peripheral catecholamines, while central catecholamines hold a minor role in the regulation. Pharmacological manipulations of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors appear to interfere with the effect of stress on the regulation of CYP1A2 inducibility. Either blockade or stimulation of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors with atipamezole and dexmedetomidine respectively, eliminated the up-regulating effect of stress on CYP1A2 benzo(alpha)pyrene-induced expression, while it enhanced MROD activity. In contrast, stress and pharmacological manipulations of catecholamines and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors did not affect total P450 content, the CYP2B1/2-dependent PROD and the CYP2E1-dependent p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activities. In conclusion, stress is a significant factor in the regulation of the CYP1A2 inducibility by benzo(alpha)pyrene, which in turn is involved in the metabolism of a large spectrum of toxicants, drugs and carcinogenic agents. Although the mechanism underlying the stress effect on CYP1A2 induction has not been clearly elucidated, it appears that peripheral catecholamines hold a predominant role, while central catecholamines and in particular, central noradrenergic pathways hold a minor role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. mkonstan@cc.uoi.gr
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konstandi
authors.forename: Matti A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kostakis
authors.forename: Elizabeth O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marselos
mesh_terms: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D019388:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006145:Guanethidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D002395:Catecholamines; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007093:Imidazoles; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; C050701:atipamezole; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D012110:Reserpine; D019388:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2; D006145:Guanethidine