Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

The crucial protective role of glutathione against tienilic acid hepatotoxicity in rats

Journal Article · · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1]
  1. Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, DAIICHI SANKYO CO., LTD., 16-13, Kita-Kasai 1-Chome, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-8630 (Japan)
  2. Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, DAIICHI SANKYO CO., LTD., 16-13, Kita-Kasai 1-Chome, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-8630 (Japan)

To investigate the hepatotoxic potential of tienilic acid in vivo, we administered a single oral dose of tienilic acid to Sprague-Dawley rats and performed general clinicopathological examinations and hepatic gene expression analysis using Affymetrix microarrays. No change in the serum transaminases was noted at up to 1000 mg/kg, although slight elevation of the serum bile acid and bilirubin, and very mild hepatotoxic changes in morphology were observed. In contrast to the marginal clinicopathological changes, marked upregulation of the genes involved in glutathione biosynthesis [glutathione synthetase and glutamate-cysteine ligase (Gcl)], oxidative stress response [heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1] and phase II drug metabolism (glutathione S-transferase and UDP glycosyltransferase 1A6) were noted after 3 or 6 h post-dosing. The hepatic reduced glutathione level decreased at 3-6 h, and then increased at 24 or 48 h, indicating that the upregulation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulated gene and the late increase in hepatic glutathione are protective responses against the oxidative and/or electrophilic stresses caused by tienilic acid. In a subsequent experiment, tienilic acid in combination with L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of Gcl caused marked elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with extensive centrilobular hepatocyte necrosis, whereas BSO alone showed no hepatotoxicity. The elevation of ALT by this combination was observed at the same dose levels of tienilic acid as the upregulation of the Nrf2-regulated genes by tienilic acid alone. In conclusion, these results suggest that the impairment of glutathione biosynthesis may play a critical role in the development of tienilic acid hepatotoxicity through extensive oxidative and/or electrophilic stresses.

OSTI ID:
21144145
Journal Information:
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 232; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Induction of Mrp3 and Mrp4 transporters during acetaminophen hepatotoxicity is dependent on Nrf2
Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2007 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · OSTI ID:21077888

Mechanism-based biomarker gene sets for glutathione depletion-related hepatotoxicity in rats
Journal Article · Wed Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · OSTI ID:21451185

Potentiation of carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity by inhaled methanol: Time course of injury and recovery
Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995 · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health · OSTI ID:387347