Hypoxia-induced down-regulation of CYP1A1/1A2 and up-regulation of CYP3A6 involves serum mediators.

1. Acute moderate hypoxia modifies the catalytic activity and expression of certain isoenzymes of hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450). The aim of this study was to document whether hypoxia affects hepatic P450 directly or through the release of serum mediators. 2. Rabbits were subjected to a FiO(2) of 8% for 48 h, sacrificed, and serum and hepatocytes were isolated; hepatocytes from control and rabbits with hypoxia were incubated with serum from control and hypoxic rabbits for 4 and 24 h, and total P450 content, CYP1A1, 1A2 and 3A6 activities and expressions were assessed. Sera were fractionated by size exclusion chromatography and fractions tested for their ability to modify activity and amount of P450, and serum mediators were identified through neutralization experiments. 3. Total serum and fractions with proteins of 15-23 and 65-94 kDa of M(r) reduced P450 content and expression of CYP1A1, 1A2 and 3A6, as well as CYP1A1, 1A2 and 3A6 mRNA. Total serum and the fraction with 32-44 kDa proteins increased CYP3A6 activity and protein and mRNA. The serum mediators implicated in the decrease in activity and expression of CYP1A1, 1A2 and 3A6 were interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-2. Erythropoietin (Epo) was partly responsible for the increase in P450 content and CYP3A6 expression. 4. In conclusion, acute moderate hypoxia diminishes the activity and expression of CYP1A1, 1A2 and CYP1A1, 1A2 mRNA, and increases CYP3A6 protein, activity and CYP3A6 mRNA. Several mechanisms contribute to these changes in P450, among them the release of cytokines acting as serum mediators.