Expression of cytochromes P450 3A in mouse lung: effects of dexamethasone and pregnenolone 16alpha-carbonitrile.

Expression of cytochromes P450 3A (CYP3A) has been reported in the lung, but its regulation has received little attention. In the present study, we assessed lung levels of Cyp3a mRNA, protein and activity in control mice and in mice treated with either dexamethasone (DEX), pregnenolone 16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) or a mixture of DEX+PCN. Lung expression of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) was also investigated.

Increased expression and decreased activity of cytochrome P450 1A1 in a murine model of toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma.

In the lung, cytochromes P450 (CYP) may be affected by inhaled pollutants. In a previous study, we showed that acute inhalation of toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a low molecular weight chemical known to cause occupational asthma, decreased CYP2B1 expression in rat lung. In the present work, we investigated the effect of TDI in a murine model of TDI-induced asthma.