Modeling xenobiotic susceptibility to hepatotoxicity using an in vitro oxidative stress inflammation model

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;91(3):236-40. doi: 10.1139/cjpp-2012-0255. Epub 2013 Jan 3.

Abstract

Evidence suggests xenobiotic exposure during periods of inflammation can increase an individual's susceptibility to toxicity. The present study aimed to validate an in-vitro inflammatory model to identify compounds that increase hepatotoxicity during inflammation. Using freshly isolated hepatocytes exposed to a low nontoxic flow of H2O2 using glucose (G) and glucose oxidase (GO) and supplementing it with either peroxidase or Fe(II), the effects of inflammation on 2 classes of drugs known to cause hepatotoxicity were examined: nitroaromatics (nimesulide, nilutamide, flutamide) and aromatic amines (clozapine, thioridazine). Co-incubation with G/GO and the nitroaromatics increased toxicity that was further increased when peroxidase was present. While the aromatic amines did not increase cytotoxicity with G/GO alone, they demonstrated significant increases in cytotoxicity when incubated with peroxidase+G/GO. Liver injury is commonly observed with alcohol abusers; therefore, the effects of inflammation on ethanol, and its metabolite acetaldehyde, were observed. Both ethanol and acetaldehyde increased cytotoxicity, which was further increased when Fe(II) was present. These results implicate H2O2, a cellular mediator of inflammation, as a potential risk factor for hepatotoxicity. A H2O2-enhanced hepatocyte-system in the presence of peroxidase or Fe(II) may prove useful for a more robust screening of xenobiotics for assessing potential toxicity associated with inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Male
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Xenobiotics / toxicity*

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Xenobiotics