The enzyme inducers 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital affect the activities of glucocorticoid hormone-regulated enzymes in rat liver and kidney

3-Methylcholanthrene, an inducer of P448-type cytochromes (mostly 1A1 and 1A2), and phenobarbital, an inducer of P450-type cytochromes (mostly 2B1 and 2B2), are prototypical for the actions of many xenobiotics. They cause endocrine disruption by affecting, among others, steroid hormone levels. Rats were treated with single bolus doses of 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital, and enzyme activities that are controlled by glucocorticoids were measured in liver and kidney. The activities of the cytosolic enzymes L-alanine aminotransferase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (L-tryptophan pyrrolase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, L-serine dehydratase and L-tyrosine aminotransferase were affected in a similar fashion: an initial activity reduction followed by two overshoots of activity 1 and 2 days after dosing. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the microsomal key enzyme of sterol synthesis, responded with a temporary reduction of activity only and evidently lost its diurnal rhythm. The time course of these changes is most likely caused by a combination of sub-physiological levels of glucocorticoids plus changes of other regulatory hormones elicited by feed intake, postprandial state, etc. A possible role for a combined action of the arylhydrocarbon (Ah) and glucocorticoid receptors in the effects of 3-methylcholanthrene is also suggested. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.