N-alkylation of the haem moiety of cytochrome P-450 caused by substituted dihydropyridines. Preferential attack of different pyrrole nitrogen atoms after induction of various cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes.

1. 3,5-Diethoxycarbonyl-4-ethyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethylpyridine (4-ethyl-DDC) gives rise to N-ethylprotoporphyrin in the liver of rats by donating its 4-ethyl group to one of the pyrrole nitrogen atoms of haem. Four structural isomers are obtained, depending on which pyrrole nitrogen is alkylated. 2. When rats are pretreated with an inducer of cytochrome P-450, the production of N-ethylprotoporphyrin caused by 4-ethyl-DDC is greater, both in the whole animal and in hepatocytes incubated with the drug in vitro. 3. Pre-incubation of hepatocytes with 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide decreases the yield of N-ethylprotoporphyrin due to 4-ethyl-DDC, an effect largely reversed by adding exogenous haem. 4. The isomeric composition of N-ethylprotoporphyrin produced in vivo and in vitro depends on the cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme that predominates at the time of treatment, suggesting a role for the apo-cytochrome in directing alkylation on to one of the pyrrole nitrogens.