Increased oxidation of ethylene glycol to formaldehyde by microsomes after ethanol treatment: role of oxygen radicals and cytochrome P450

Ewa Kukielka, Arthur I. Cederbaum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The production of ferryl-type oxidants by microsomes from ethanol-fed rats and pair-fed controls was determined by assaying for the production of formaldehyde from ethylene glycol. Microsomes from the ethanol-fed rats were more reactive than controls in oxidizing ethylene glycol. Catalase was a powerful inhibitor for this reaction, Superoxide dismutase was slightly inhibitory and hydroxyl radical scavengers had no effect. These results suggest an important role for H2O2, but not O2{A figure is presented} or OH in the overall pathway for oxidizing ethylene glycol to formaldehyde. The production of H2O2; by microsomes was increased after ethanol treatment, the extent of increase corresponding to the increase in oxidation of ethylene glycol. A variety of inhibitors and ligands of cytochrome P450, including miconazole, diethyldithiocarbamate, tryptamine, and 4-methylpyrazole, inhibited formaldehyde production by both microsomal preparations. Anti-cytochrome P4502E1 IgG also inhibited the reaction with both microsomal preparations and prevented the increase caused by ethanol treatment. These results indicate that microsomes from ethanol-treated rats are more reactive than pair-fed controls in generating ferryl-type oxidants and that increased production of H2O2; by cytochrome P4502E1 plays a role in the elevated oxidation of ethylene glycol to formaldehyde.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9-15
Number of pages7
JournalToxicology Letters
Volume78
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1995

Keywords

  • Chronic ethanol
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Formaldehyde
  • Microsomal production

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