Effects of N-nitrosomorpholine and phenobarbital on UDP-glucuronyltransferase in putative preneoplastic foci of rat liver.

Effects of initiators and promoters of hepatocarcinogenesis on UDP-glucuronyltransferase and arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase were investigated in foci of altered hepatocytes. A single administration of N-nitrosomorpholine (75 mg/kg, 24 h after partial hepatectomy) was used for initiation and chronic administration of phenobarbital (0.1% in tap water) for promotion. Histological evidence indicated that ATPase-negative, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive, and UDP-glucuronyltransferase-positive foci were highly correlated. Based on this evidence ATPase-negative foci were used as a guide to monitor early lesions and to microdissect lyophilized foci and extra-focal tissue. It was found that treatment with N-nitrosomorpholine led to a permanent increase of UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity in foci tissue (3- to 5-fold, detected 180 and 330 days after initiation). In contrast, arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was decreased by 50%. Administration of phenobarbital further increased UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity in focal tissue (up to 9-fold, compared with control liver). However, this further increase of enzyme activity by phenobarbital was reversible. The results suggest that (i) initiation by chemical carcinogens leads to permanent alterations of drug metabolizing enzymes, consistent with increased toxin-resistance of initiated hepatocytes, and (ii) chronic administration of phenobarbital markedly enhances gene expression of UDP-glucuronyltransferase in initiated hepatocytes.