Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Methods for Analyzing the Impacts of Natural Uranium on In Vitro Osteoclastogenesis
Published on: January 30, 2018
Acetaminophen induces xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in rat: Impact of a uranium chronic exposure
Caroline Rouas1, Maâmar Souidi, Line Grandcolas
1Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Radiological Protection and Human Health Division, Radiobiology and Epidemiology Department, Laboratory of Experimental Toxicology, BP no. 17, F-92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France.
Abstract:
The extensive use of uranium in civilian and military applications increases the risk of human chronic exposure. Uranium is a slightly radioactive heavy metal with a predominantly chemical toxicity, especially in kidney but also in liver. Few studies have previously shown some effects of uranium on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XME) that might disturb drug pharmacokinetic. The aim of this study was to determine whether a chronic (9 months) non-nephrotoxic low dose exposure to depleted uranium (DU, 1mg/rat/day) could modify the liver XME, using a single non-hepatotoxic acetaminophen (APAP) treatment (50mg/kg). Most of XME analysed were induced by APAP treatment at the gene expression level but at the protein level only CYP3A2 was significantly increased 3h after APAP treatment in DU-exposed rats whereas it remained at a basal level in unexposed rats. In conclusion, these results showed that a chronic non-nephrotoxic DU exposure specially modify CYP3A2 after a single therapeutic APAP treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Toxicity Testing in Animals
Phase II Reactions: Glucuronidation
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
