Porphyrin synthesis by human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells--effects of enzyme inducers and delta-aminolevulinic acid

Toxicology. 1991 Mar 25;67(1):75-83. doi: 10.1016/0300-483x(91)90165-w.

Abstract

Experiments were carried out to investigate the possibility of inducing porphyria in human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells in culture. After treatment with hexachlorobenzene, 3-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital or dimethyl sulfoxide, protoporphyrin was the predominating porphyrin accumulating in presence of delta-aminolevulinic acid. The typical uroporphyrin accumulation, as is seen in hexachlorobenzene-induced porphyria in vivo, was absent. In HepG2 cells, the activities of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and porphobilinogen deaminase were not influenced by cytochrome P-450 inducers, hexachlorobenzene or dimethyl sulfoxide during 48 h of culture. Therefore, the use of these cells in the study of porphyria cutanea tarda does not seem promising.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminolevulinic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / biosynthesis
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Hexachlorobenzene / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Methylcholanthrene / pharmacology
  • Phenobarbital / pharmacology
  • Porphyrins / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase / metabolism

Substances

  • Porphyrins
  • Hexachlorobenzene
  • Methylcholanthrene
  • Aminolevulinic Acid
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase
  • Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide
  • Phenobarbital