Effects of beta-naphthoflavone on the cytochrome P450 system, and phase II enzymes in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata).

The effect of beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF) on several catalytic activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and phase II enzymes putatively controlled by [Ah]-receptor activation in the liver, heart and kidney of gilthead seabream, was investigated. In the liver, beta-NF treatment [intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) 50 mg/kg] resulted in an increase of CYP content, immunoreactive CYP 1A and methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase (MEROD), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities. However, beta-NF had no effect on any of the hepatic phase II enzymes examined (benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, propionaldehyde dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase, UDP-glucuronyl-transferase, DT-diaphorase). Single i.p. injection of 10 mg/kg beta-NF showed a maximal induction of CYP 1A-like protein and EROD activity after 3-7 days. CYP 1A and EROD returned to control levels 18-days post-treatment. beta-NF injection also caused a rapid increase of a single band size of mRNA recognized by a CYP 1A1 cDNA fragment from sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Expression of mRNA preceded the increase of EROD activity and declined rapidly by 96 h. Dose-response experiments demonstrated that EROD was significantly enhanced in liver by a single injection of 0.3 mg/kg beta-NF and was the most sensitive measurement for CYP 1A-like induction. beta-NF treatments also increased the expression of CYP 1A-like protein, mRNA and EROD, but not MEROD and PROD activities in heart and kidney.