Involvement of cytochrome b5 in the cytotoxic response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

Cytotoxic lesions, induced by Gram-negative lipopolysaccharides (LPS), occur mainly in liver where the microsomal compartment of hepatocytes is involved in the detoxification mechanisms as well as in the biosynthesis of different active metabolites. The alterations induced by LPS from E. coli 0111:B4 on cytochrome b5 and its correlation with cytochrome P450, have been studied using an in vivo reversible endotoxic shock model and 24 h non-replicative hepatocyte monolayers. Results show that cytochrome b5 is directly affected by LPS that induces also a membrane damage with an active release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The increase of cytochrome b5 levels may enhance the efficiency of the electron transport, thus facilitating the cytochrome P450-associate oxidations and reactions involved in the repair mechanisms of membranes.