H4IIEC3/G(-) cells, descendants of rat Reuber
hepatoma, were characterized for their response to
paracetamol (
acetaminophen;
AAP) toxicity during log-phase of growth. The cells in culture were found to contain high contents of constitutive and
dexamethasone inducible rat
cytochrome P4503A besides other CYP members reported earlier.
AAP produced dose-dependent decrease in cellular growth (50% at 0.7mm). The
drug steadily reduced the activity of
UDP-
glucuronyltransferase (UGT) towards 3-hydroxybenzo[a]
pyrene, decreased the contents of
UDP-glucuronic acid (
UDPGA) and significantly lowered GSH contents with length of exposure. After 48hr of treatment, the GSH levels registered a fall of 50% while UGT and
UDPGA exhibited a moderate decline of less than 25%. Decrease in the conjugation capacity of cells correlated with LDH leakage in the medium. Three compounds of natural origin,
silymarin,
kutkin and
andrographolide at 10-20 mum, offered relatively modest protection ranging from 24 to 55% at best, against the growth inhibitory effect of
paracetamol. The
hepatoma cells investigated appeared metabolically competent to respond to
AAP toxicity and might prove useful for screening of agents against
AAP-induced hepatotoxicity.