The role of CCl4 biotransformation in the activation of hepatocyte phospholipase C in vivo and in vitro.

Rats treated with a single 0.5 ml/kg dose (ip) of CCl4 exhibited a threefold increase in liver microsomal phospholipase C (PLC) activity that was enhanced by phenobarbital and diminished by metyrapone pretreatment, respectively. Hepatocytes and hepatocellular fractions exposed to 0.5 mM CCl4 in vitro also exhibited a rapid rise in PLC activity that was reduced by metyrapone. Metyrapone also reduced the CCl4-related increase in the PLC-mediated reductions in cellular phosphatidylcholine content. The influence of CCl4 biotransformation on the activation of liver cell PLC was assessed in vitro. Covalent binding of 14CCl4 metabolites to isolated hepatocyte proteins and lipids was linear through 20 min of incubation and then quickly plateaued. The association of CCl4 metabolites with cellular phospholipids was inhibited by metyrapone and preceded the CCl4-dependent rise in PLC activity. CCl4-mediated increases in PLC activity were rapid and preceded reductions in cell viability. The translocation of cytosolic PLC to membranes such as the endoplasmic reticulum may explain the rapid, metabolite-dependent activation of PLC.PLC activation by haloalkanes was proportional to dose and incubation time in the order of CBrCl3 greater than CCl4 greater than CHCl3 greater than CFCl3 which corresponds to the observed hepatotoxic potential of these agents in vivo and in vitro. Haloalkane-dependent increases in PLC activity were inhibited by metyrapone. These results suggest that chemical metabolites activate PLC in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the activation of a PLC that degrades membrane phospholipids may represent an important step in the pathogenic scheme of chemical-mediated liver cell necrosis.