Decreased expression of glutathione S-transferases and increased fatty change in peroxisomal enzyme-negative foci induced by clofibrate in rat livers.

Alteration in glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes was compared with that of a peroxisomal enzyme, enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECH), during hepatocarcinogenesis caused by clofibrate (CF) administration in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The amount of alpha class GST forms, determined by single radial immunodiffusion using anti-GST 1-2 antibody, was inversely correlated with that of ECH and was decreased at week 2 of CF administration to approximately 50% of the value prior to treatment and then slightly increased to 70% of the control value by week 15, without change thereafter up to 93 weeks. Resolution of GST subunits by high performance liquid chromatography revealed an approximately 60% decrease in the amounts of subunits 1 and 3 at week 93 and a 25% decrease in the amounts of subunits 2 and 4. Immunohistochemical staining of rat livers revealed hepatic foci and minifoci negative for ECH at week 60 and thereafter. Almost all ECH-negative foci (95.1-97.9%) were clear cell in character, along with a somewhat lower proportion (68.0-73.8%) of ECH-negative minifoci. Numerous fat-positive granules were detected in 78.3% of those lesions exhibiting a clear cell change. Although the amounts of GST and ECH exhibited contrasting patterns of alteration in whole livers following CF administration, the expression of both alpha and mu class GST forms was decreased in the majority of ECH-negative foci at week 93, but were not altered in minifoci. The repression of GST forms appeared to be a later event than the loss of ECH or the clear cell change in CF-associated hepatic lesions and was in clear contrast to the enhanced expression reported for preneoplastic lesions induced by mutagenic carcinogens.