Modulation of mouse P450 isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2B10, CYP2E1, and CYP3A by the environmental chemicals mirex, 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene, vinclozolin, and flutamide

Several environmental chemicals are disruptive to the reproductive and endocrine systems of many species, including humans. Mechanisms for endocrine disruption are presently under scrutiny. Xenobiotic inducible mammalian cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes metabolize a variety of substrates including environmental chemicals, pesticides, and drugs. The metabolism, and thus the effect, of endogenous chemicals including steroid hormones. vitamins, etc. that are transformed by CYP enzymes can be influenced by environmental exposure to CYP-inducing chemicals. This study demonstrated that structurally diverse environmental chemicals including mirex, 2,2-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (DDE), vinclozolin, and flutamide are capable of inducing several mouse liver CYP isozymes. As demonstrated by Western blotting, mirex induced CYP1A2, 2B10, 2E1, and 3A and vinclozolin induced 1A2 and 2B10. The only isoforms significantly induced by DDE and flutamide were 3A and 1A2, respectively. Since some of these isoforms are known to be involved in metabolism of endogenous hormones, we also studied the effects of these CYP inducers on testosterone metabolism and seminal vesicle weights. Mirex and DDE treatments had profound effects on the metabolism of testosterone, resulting in 2.5- to 3-fold more hydroxylated products than controls. Lesser, but significant, increases in specific metabolites of testosterone were also observed following treatment with vinclozolin and flutamide. Seminal vesicle weights were lower for all treatment groups except DDE. Results of this study demonstrate that, due to their CYP-inducing potential, these chemicals may significantly impact testosterone metabolism and this may be a contributing factor in their antiandrogenic effects. (C) 2001 Academic Press.