The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on heme synthesis and the acute phase reaction in human HepG2 hepatoma cells.

Effects of DMSO on heme synthesis and enzymes of the heme biosynthetic pathway were examined in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. HepG2 cells contain measurable levels of ALA synthase and ALA dehydratase, and their levels are increased after treatment of cells with DMSO. DMSO treatment also led to increases in heme content and the synthesis of haptoglobin, while it decreased the synthesis of albumin and AFP. Changes in plasma protein synthesis after DMSO treatment are characteristic of those known to occur in the acute phase reaction. These findings suggest that profound changes in heme synthesis may occur during the acute phase reaction.