Effect of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide on the expressions of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and GSTP1, and the receptors AhR, ARNT, and PXR in HepG2 cells

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C₈mim]Br) on the expressions of phase I and phase II enzymes in the human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. The results showed that [C₈mim]Br-exposure significantly up-regulated the transcription of CYP1A1, AhR, and ARNT, whereas it down-regulated CYP1A2 expression. However, transcription of CYP3A4 and PXR was suppressed at an early time of exposure (6 h) but subsequently increased. GSTP1 transcription in the cells increased from 6 to 12 h of [C₈mim]Br-exposure; however, it was almost completely repressed at the end of the experiment. Additionally, [C₈mim]Br-exposure increased the protein content of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and GSTP1 in HepG2 cells. The result indicates that [C₈mim]Br disrupts cellular metabolism by altering the enzymes of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and GST in HepG2 cells.

• 1-Octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide
• HepG2
• cytochrome P450
• GSTP1
• AhR
• PXR

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China under Grants 31172415 and 31472285, the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province of China under Grant 102300410105, the Foundation of Henan Educational Committee under Grant 2011A180021, and the Key Subject of Ecology in Henan Province, China.