A high resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance approach to the study of hepatocyte and drug metabolism. Application to acetaminophen.

1H spin echo NMR spectra of intact hepatocytes, isolated from rat liver, showed resonances for glucose, mobile fatty acids, and +N(CH3)3 groups including choline headgroups of phosphoglycerides. Spectra from extracts of the same cells contained many more well resolved resonances due to low Mr metabolites. These included signals for free amino acids, ketone bodies, glucose, lactate, and acetate. 1H NMR spectra from suspensions of intact hepatocytes incubated with acetaminophen showed no resonances for drug metabolites, although changes in sugar resonances were observed. However, spectra of extracts from acetaminophen-treated hepatocytes contained resonances for both acetaminophen itself and its major metabolites, the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. Results on the extent of acetaminophen metabolism as measured by 1H NMR compared well with previously reported chromatographic studies. The rate of metabolism of acetaminophen by hepatocytes was much slower in 2H2O buffer compared to H2O buffer and selective deuteration of several metabolites including the ketone bodies, glucose, and acetaminophen glucuronide was observed. The deuteration of glucose C2H appeared to be due to futile cycling of the glycolytic pathway to at least fructose 6-phosphate, and incorporation of deuterium by the enzyme phosphoglucoisomerase. This work demonstrates that 1H NMR studies of intact hepatocytes and cell extracts together can provide considerable insight into the metabolism of acetaminophen in vitro. Little pretreatment of samples is required, results can be obtained rapidly, and both normal and drug metabolites can be observed simultaneously. Similar studies should be applicable to a wide range of other drugs.