Microsomal Cytochrome P450 Levels and Activities of Isolated Rat Livers Perfused with Albumin

Purpose: We recently showed that the perfusion of isolated rat livers with perfusates containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) would significantly stimulate the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Here, we hypothesize that BSA-induced increase in the release of TNF-alpha, and possibly other cytokines, would affect cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated drug metabolism.

Methods: Rat livers were perfused ex vivo for 1, 2, or 3 h with a physiologic buffer containing or lacking 1% BSA (n = 4-5/group). At the end of perfusion, liver microsomes were prepared and analyzed for their total CYP, CYP2E1, CYP3A2, and CYP2C11 protein contents and the activities of cytochrome c reductase, CYP2E1, CYP3A2, CYP2C11, CYP2E1, CYP2D1, CYP1A1, and CYP2B1/2. In addition, the concentrations of various cytokines and nitric oxide were quantified in the outlet perfusate.

Results: In the absence of BSA, the perfusate levels of all measured cytokines and nitric oxide were low. However, when the perfusate contained BSA, the levels of TNF-alpha, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide increased significantly (p < 0.005). Perfusion of the livers for 3 h with the BSA-containing perfusate resulted in significant (p < 0.05) decreases in the total CYP (41%), CYP2E1 (59%), CYP3A2 (68%), and CYP2C11 (50%) protein contents and activities of cytochrome c reductase (31%), CYP2E1 (66%), CYP3A2 (54%), and CYP2G11 (51%). In contrast, perfusion of livers for 1 or 2 h with the BSA perfusate did not have any significant effect on CYP-mediated metabolism. The CYP1A2, CYP2D1, and CYP2B1/2 activities were not affected by BSA, regardless of perfusion time.

Conclusion: Addition of BSA to perfusates, which is a routine practice in isolated rat liver studies, can reduce CYP-mediated drug metabolism by a mechanism independent of protein-binding effect.