4,4'-methylenedianiline-induced hepatotoxicity is modified by N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) acetylator polymorphism in the rat.

4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) is widely used in the manufacturing of polyurethane foam, epoxy resins, and polymers. Exposure to MDA induces liver damage in humans and rats. MDA undergoes N-acetylation catalyzed by N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and 2 (NAT2) in the liver. Both human and rat NAT2 are polymorphic, and human NAT2 genetic polymorphism modifies the frequency and/or severity of drug and xenobiotic toxicity in human populations. Recombinant expression of rat Nats in Escherichia coli showed that MDA was acetylated by both recombinant rat Nat1 and Nat2 and was catalyzed at substantially higher rates by rapid acetylator Nat2 compared with slow acetylator Nat2. Rapid acetylator F344 rat liver cytosols catalyzed the N-acetylation of MDA at significantly higher rates than those from slow acetylator Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) inbred rats. To test the effect of NAT2 genetic polymorphism on hepatotoxicity from acute MDA exposure, we compared hepatotoxicity in rapid (F344) and slow (WKY) Nat2 acetylator inbred rats that were administered MDA. Based on the results of dose-response studies ranging up to 150 mg/kg MDA administered by intragastric gavage, the effect of a moderately hepatotoxic dose (37.5 mg/kg) was compared in rapid versus slow acetylator rats. Plasma alanine transaminase enzyme activities were approximately 5-fold higher (p < 0.05) in rapid versus slow acetylator rats after MDA treatment, and necrotizing hepatitis with portal damage consisting of bile ductular necrosis, portal expansion, and inflammation was clearly more prominent. These results suggest that acetylator phenotype is an important factor for susceptibility toward MDA hepatotoxicity.