Bis(hydroxyphenyl)methane-bisphenol F-metabolism by the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line and cryopreserved human hepatocytes

Drug Chem Toxicol. 2011 Oct;34(4):445-53. doi: 10.3109/01480545.2011.585651. Epub 2011 Jul 19.

Abstract

Bisphenol F (BPF) is present in the environment and as a contaminant of food. Humans may, therefore, be exposed to BPF, and an assessment of this risk is required. BPF has been shown to have genotoxic and endocrine-disruptor properties in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2), which is a model system for studies of xenobiotic toxicity. In this study, we investigated the ability of HepG2 cells to biotransform BPF, because metabolism may affect the observed effects of BPF, and we compared this metabolic capacity with that of human hepatocytes. Cells were incubated for 24 hours with [(3)H]-BPF. The culture medium was then concentrated and its metabolites were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. BPF was largely metabolized into the corresponding sulfate by the HepG2 cell line. BPF was metabolized into both sulfate and glucuronide by human hepatocytes, but with differences between individuals. The metabolism of BPF in both HepG2 cells and human hepatocytes suggests the existence of a detoxification pathway. Thus, these two cell models differ in metabolic capacity. It is, therefore, very important, when assessing the toxic effects of substances in vitro, to determine, in parallel, the biotransformation capacities of the model used to extrapolate in vivo.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Benzhydryl Compounds / metabolism*
  • Biotransformation
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cryopreservation
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / physiology
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects*
  • Hepatocytes / enzymology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plasmids
  • Transfection
  • beta-Galactosidase / genetics

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • ESR1 protein, human
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Luciferases
  • beta-Galactosidase
  • 4,4'-bisphenol F