Dichloroacetic Acid Induction of Peroxisome Proliferation in Cultured Hepatocytes

Jennie L. Everhart, David T. Kurtz, Jo Ellyn M. McMillan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Trichloroethylene is a widespread industrial solvent and one of the most common environmental contaminants. Trichloroethylene causes hepatocarcinoma in the B6C3F1 mouse in a dose-dependent manner. Trichloroethylene's hepatocarcinogenicity is thought to be mediated through its metabolites trichloroacetate and dichloroacetate. Although the mechanism of action is not well understood, hepatic tumors are thought to arise as a result of excessive peroxisome-dependent active oxygen production or secondary to enhanced cell replication. The peroxisome proliferative activity of trichloroacetate has been replicated in cultured rodent hepatocytes, while that of dichloroacetate has not been demonstrated. The present experiments were designed to characterize the peroxisome proliferative response to dichloroacetate in hepatocyte cultures from male B6C3F1 mice and male Long Evans rats. The cultured hepatocytes were treated after attachment with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 mM dichloroacetate for 72 hours. Peroxisome proliferation was assessed by measuring palmitoyl-CoA oxidation and by immunoquantitation of peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme. Palmitoyl CoA oxidation increased in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximal induction of 5.5- and 5-fold in mouse and rat hepatocytes, respectively, after treatment with 2.0 mM dichloroacetate. Peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme protein levels also increased in a concentration-dependent manner in both rat and mouse hepatocytes in response to dichloroacetate exposure. These results indicate that the peroxisomal response observed in vivo in response to dichloroacetate administration can be reproduced in primary cultures of rat and mouse hepatocytes treated with dichloroacetate. Further studies using this model system will help elucidate mechanisms of dichloroacetate-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)351-359
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carcinogenesis
  • Dichloroacetate
  • Hepatocytes
  • Peroxisomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Toxicology
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dichloroacetic Acid Induction of Peroxisome Proliferation in Cultured Hepatocytes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this