Modulation of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by the xenobiotic receptor CAR

Science. 2002 Oct 11;298(5592):422-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1073502.

Abstract

We have identified the xenobiotic receptor CAR (constitutive androstane receptor) as a key regulator of acetaminophen metabolism and hepatotoxicity. Known CAR activators as well as high doses of acetaminophen induced expression of three acetaminophen-metabolizing enzymes in wild-type but not in CAR null mice, and the CAR null mice were resistant to acetaminophen toxicity. Inhibition of CAR activity by administration of the inverse agonist ligand androstanol 1 hour after acetaminophen treatment blocked hepatotoxicity in wild type but not in CAR null mice. These results suggest an innovative therapeutic approach for treating the adverse effects of acetaminophen and potentially other hepatotoxic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / metabolism
  • Acetaminophen / toxicity*
  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / metabolism
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / toxicity
  • Androstanols / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / genetics
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / metabolism
  • Benzoquinones / metabolism
  • Constitutive Androstane Receptor
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 / metabolism
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / metabolism
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Imines / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / genetics
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / metabolism
  • Phenobarbital / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / agonists
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription Factors / agonists
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Androstanols
  • Benzoquinones
  • Constitutive Androstane Receptor
  • Imines
  • Isoenzymes
  • Pyridines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors
  • androstan-3-ol
  • Acetaminophen
  • 1,4-bis(2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy))benzene
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating
  • GSTP1 protein, human
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Gstp1 protein, mouse
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • N-acetyl-4-benzoquinoneimine
  • Glutathione
  • Acetylcysteine
  • Phenobarbital