Modulation of ethanol-mediated CYP2E1 induction by clofibrate and L-carnitine in rat liver

To understand the effects of lipid-lowering agents on the ethanol-induction of hepatic CYP2E1, clofibrate and L-carnitine were administered to adult male rats. The administration of ethanol in the diet (containing 21% calories as ethanol, given for 3 weeks) increased levels of hepatic CYP2E1 protein (1.9-fold that of untreated controls) and mRNA (2.1-fold). In contrast, the administration of clofibrate (0.1%v/v) in an ethanol-containing diet did not significantly increase either CYP2E1 protein (1.1-fold) or mRNA (0.8-fold), in spite of the significant increases in blood ketone bodies. Administration of L-carnitine alone had no clear effect on CYP2E1 and blood ketone body levels. Co-administration of L-carnitine, however, increased liver microsomal CYP2E1 protein (2.5-fold) in rats given an ethanol-containing diet. No difference was observed in the mRNA levels in rats receiving ethanol with and without L-carnitine. These results indicate that clofibrate and L-carnitine modulate ethanol-mediated induction of hepatic CYP2E1 independent of blood levels of ketone bodies. It is also suggested that these lipid-lowering agents affected hepatic CYP2E1 through particular mechanisms, suppression of the specific mRNA and post-translation stabilization.