Modulation of trout 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity by estradiol and octylphenol

Estrogens appear to have a modulating effect on the expression of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in fish. A number of in vivo studies have demonstrated that hepatic CYP1A expression in females decrease during sexual maturation when plasma levels of 17ß-estradiol (E2) increase, or in cases when the fish is injected with E2. Since a number of environmental contaminants have weak estrogen-like activities, the question arises if these compounds are able to modulate CYP1A expression as well. In the present study, we used in vitro monolayer cultures of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, liver cells to compare concentration-dependent (10−9 to 10−5 M) effects of the natural steroid E2 and the non-steroideal xenoestrogen 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) on CYP1A-catalyzed 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity. The concentration dependency of the estrogenic activity of the two test compounds was assessed by determination of hepatocellular vitellogenin (Vg) release into the culture medium. Exposure of hepatocytes to E2 concentrations of 10−8 M and higher led to a significant inhibition of basal cellular EROD activity. On the contrary, exposure to OP did not result in an inhibition of EROD activity, even at OP concentrations (10−6 M, 10−5 M) which were associated with a significant induction of Vg synthesis.