Regulation of rat carboxylesterase expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD): a dose-dependent...

Carboxylesterases play an important role in the metabolism of endogenous lipids and foreign compounds; therefore, xenobiotic regulation of carboxylesterase gene expression has both physiological and pharmacological significance. We previously reported that beta-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene, two potent inducers for cytochrome P4501A enzymes, had opposing effects on the expression of hydrolase S, a secretory carboxylesterase. Beta-naphthoflavone caused suppression, whereas 3-methylcholanthrene caused induction of the expression of this enzyme. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), another prototypical cytochrome P4501A inducer, on the expression of this and several other rat carboxylesterases (hydrolases A, B, and C) in liver and extrahepatic tissues. Rats received TCDD treatment at nonlethal (