Cytochrome P450 3A isozymes (CYP3A) metabolize approximately 50% of therapeutic drugs. It has recently been discovered that human CYP3A mRNA levels can be induced by hypertonicity; a physiological state not previously linked to its regulation. The osmosensitive transcription factor, Nuclear Factor of Activated T-Cells 5 (NFAT5), regulates multiple genes that restore osmolyte homeostasis and promote cell protection during osmotic stress. In silico examinations and in vitro experiments using reporters, knockdown and binding assays in the human intestinal cell line C2bbe1 have revealed an active tonicity-responsive enhancer (TonE) within CYP3A7 intron (+5417/+5427 from CYP3A7 transcriptional start site) that is responsible for NFAT5 binding and NFAT5-dependent regulation of CYP3A isoforms. In addition, hypertonicity-mediated CYP3A induction is also observed in both hepatic and intestinal cell lines. Effects of tonicity changes on in vivo CYP3A expression and function were examined in a humanized CYP3A transgenic mouse with similar tissue expression in humans. More specifically, intervention with prolonged dehydration involving alternating between 24-hour cycles of water-deprivation and water ad lib for 1 week (cyclic water-deprivation; four 24-hour water-deprivation and three 24-hour water ad lib periods), increased expression of NFAT5 target genes Slc6a12 in the liver and kidney (2.5 ± 0.6-fold over water ad lib, n = 14, p = 0.04; and 3.1 ± 0.6-fold, n = 10, p = 0.02, respectively), Akr1b3 in the liver, and Slc5a3 in the kidney. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed an increase of nuclear-distributed mouse NFAT5 in cyclic water-deprived animals, consistent with NFAT5 activation. Most importantly, CYP3A4 mRNA levels were noted to be elevated in the liver and kidney (11.8 ± 4.8-fold over water ad lib, n = 14, p = 0.04 and 2.2 ± 0.4-fold, n = 9, p = 0.02, respectively), with concurrent CYP3A protein and activity increase. Localized hypertonic environment in the gut was simulated by providing animals with a week-long high-salt diet. The effects of high-salt diet in the gut were similar to those of cyclic water-deprivation in the liver and kidney; where NFAT5 showed nuclear distribution and NFAT5 target gene expression (Slc6a12; 20.5 ± 6.7-fold over a week-long low-salt diet, n = 8, p = 0.02 and Slc6a6; 3.2 ± 0.7-fold, n = 10, p < 0.01, in the duodenum). Furthermore, an increase of CYP3A4 mRNA was observed (2.6 ± 0.5-fold over a week-long low-salt diet, n = 14, p = 0.03), with a corresponding rise in protein expression and activity levels. In summary, increased expression of in vitro and in vivo human CYP3A was achieved using a hypertonic stimulus; concurrent NFAT5 activation and NFAT5 target gene expression were observed. These results suggested a possible binding of activated NFAT5 to CYP3A TonE situated within the intronic region of CYP3A7. It could be further concluded that NFAT5 may be responsible for the hypertonic induction of human CYP3A.

Cytochrome P450 3A isozymes (CYP3A) metabolize approximately 50% of therapeutic drugs. It has recently been discovered that human CYP3A mRNA levels can be induced by hypertonicity; a physiological state not previously linked to its regulation. The osmosensitive transcription factor, Nuclear Factor of Activated T-Cells 5 (NFAT5), regulates multiple genes that restore osmolyte homeostasis and promote cell protection during osmotic stress. In silico examinations and in vitro experiments using reporters, knockdown and binding assays in the human intestinal cell line C2bbe1 have revealed an active tonicity-responsive enhancer (TonE) within CYP3A7 intron (+5417/+5427 from CYP3A7 transcriptional start site) that is responsible for NFAT5 binding and NFAT5-dependent regulation of CYP3A isoforms. In addition, hypertonicity-mediated CYP3A induction is also observed in both hepatic and intestinal cell lines. Effects of tonicity changes on in vivo CYP3A expression and function were examined in a humanized CYP3A transgenic mouse with similar tissue expression in humans. More specifically, intervention with prolonged dehydration involving alternating between 24-hour cycles of water-deprivation and water ad lib for 1 week (cyclic water-deprivation; four 24-hour water-deprivation and three 24-hour water ad lib periods), increased expression of NFAT5 target genes Slc6a12 in the liver and kidney (2.5 ± 0.6-fold over water ad lib, n = 14, p = 0.04; and 3.1 ± 0.6-fold, n = 10, p = 0.02, respectively), Akr1b3 in the liver, and Slc5a3 in the kidney. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed an increase of nuclear-distributed mouse NFAT5 in cyclic water-deprived animals, consistent with NFAT5 activation. Most importantly, CYP3A4 mRNA levels were noted to be elevated in the liver and kidney (11.8 ± 4.8-fold over water ad lib, n = 14, p = 0.04 and 2.2 ± 0.4-fold, n = 9, p = 0.02, respectively), with concurrent CYP3A protein and activity increase. Localized hypertonic environment in the gut was simulated by providing animals with a week-long high-salt diet. The effects of high-salt diet in the gut were similar to those of cyclic water-deprivation in the liver and kidney; where NFAT5 showed nuclear distribution and NFAT5 target gene expression (Slc6a12; 20.5 ± 6.7-fold over a week-long low-salt diet, n = 8, p = 0.02 and Slc6a6; 3.2 ± 0.7-fold, n = 10, p < 0.01, in the duodenum). Furthermore, an increase of CYP3A4 mRNA was observed (2.6 ± 0.5-fold over a week-long low-salt diet, n = 14, p = 0.03), with a corresponding rise in protein expression and activity levels. In summary, increased expression of in vitro and in vivo human CYP3A was achieved using a hypertonic stimulus; concurrent NFAT5 activation and NFAT5 target gene expression were observed. These results suggested a possible binding of activated NFAT5 to CYP3A TonE situated within the intronic region of CYP3A7. It could be further concluded that NFAT5 may be responsible for the hypertonic induction of human CYP3A.

This thesis examines the cytochrom P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial properties of 46 common food plants available in the Canadian Market and the inhibitory properties of 17 traditional Cree antidiabetic medicines on aldose reductase. Inhibitory activity profiles of CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 and 2D6 were created for the 46 samples. The most active plants in the CYP inhibition assay were the spices, belonging to the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Similarly, the most active plants in the antimicrobial assay were also the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Swine lens homogenate was tested as a novel model for the aldose reductase inhibition assay. Several Cree plants selected for the aldose reductase study showed a high activity, primarily in samples which also contained high levels of phenolics. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolics content and aldose reductase inhibition r2=0.44, p=0.05. Crude extracts of Rhododendron groenlandicum exhibited inhibitory activities of 35.11 ± 0.16 %. The subfractionation and HPLC analysis of R. groenlandicum revealed high levels of phenolics compounds including, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and quercetin glycosides. This study found that medicinal and food plants contain phytochemicals that may have both beneficial and detrimental biological effects. / Nous avons étudié dans cette thèse les capacités de 46 plantes comestibles, disponibles sur le marché canadien, à inhiber le cytochrome P450 (CYP), enzyme responsable du métabolisme des médicaments, les propriétés antimicrobiennes, et les propriétés inhibitrices de l'aldose réductase à partir de 17 médicaments antidiabétiques traditionnellement utilisés par les Cris. Les profils de l'activité inhibitrice du CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 et 2D6 ont été réalisés pour les 46 plantes à l'étude. Les plantes les plus actives dans le test d'inhibition du CYP furent les épices, plantes appartenant aux familles des Apiaceae et Lamiaceae. De même, les plantes les plus actives dans le bioessai antimicrobien furent aussi les plantes de ces deux mêmes familles. Un homogénat de cristallin de porc a été utilisé comme modèle nouveau pour le test d'inhibition de l'aldose réductase. Plusieurs plantes, utilisées par la nation Cri, qui ont été sélectionnées pour l'étude ont montré une forte activité inhibitrice de l’aldose réductase, principalement dans les échantillons qui contenaient des teneurs élevées en composés phénoliques. Une corrélation positive a été observée entre la teneur totale en composés phénoliques et l'inhibition de l'aldose réductase (r2 = 0.44, p = 0.05). Des extraits bruts de Rhododendron groenlandicum ont montré des activités inhibitrices de 35.11 ± 0.16%. Le sous-fractionnement et l'analyse HPLC de R. groenlandicum ont aussi révélé des teneurs élevées des composés phénoliques, incluant la catéchine, l'épicatéchine, la quercétine et les glycosides de quercétine. Cette étude a montré que les plantes médicinales et alimentaires contiennent des composés phytochimiques qui peuvent avoir à la fois des effets biologiques bénéfique et préjudiciable.

This thesis examines the cytochrom P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial properties of 46 common food plants available in the Canadian Market and the inhibitory properties of 17 traditional Cree antidiabetic medicines on aldose reductase. Inhibitory activity profiles of CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 and 2D6 were created for the 46 samples. The most active plants in the CYP inhibition assay were the spices, belonging to the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Similarly, the most active plants in the antimicrobial assay were also the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Swine lens homogenate was tested as a novel model for the aldose reductase inhibition assay. Several Cree plants selected for the aldose reductase study showed a high activity, primarily in samples which also contained high levels of phenolics. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolics content and aldose reductase inhibition r2=0.44, p=0.05. Crude extracts of Rhododendron groenlandicum exhibited inhibitory activities of 35.11 ± 0.16 %. The subfractionation and HPLC analysis of R. groenlandicum revealed high levels of phenolics compounds including, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and quercetin glycosides. This study found that medicinal and food plants contain phytochemicals that may have both beneficial and detrimental biological effects. / Nous avons étudié dans cette thèse les capacités de 46 plantes comestibles, disponibles sur le marché canadien, à inhiber le cytochrome P450 (CYP), enzyme responsable du métabolisme des médicaments, les propriétés antimicrobiennes, et les propriétés inhibitrices de l'aldose réductase à partir de 17 médicaments antidiabétiques traditionnellement utilisés par les Cris. Les profils de l'activité inhibitrice du CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 et 2D6 ont été réalisés pour les 46 plantes à l'étude. Les plantes les plus actives dans le test d'inhibition du CYP furent les épices, plantes appartenant aux familles des Apiaceae et Lamiaceae. De même, les plantes les plus actives dans le bioessai antimicrobien furent aussi les plantes de ces deux mêmes familles. Un homogénat de cristallin de porc a été utilisé comme modèle nouveau pour le test d'inhibition de l'aldose réductase. Plusieurs plantes, utilisées par la nation Cri, qui ont été sélectionnées pour l'étude ont montré une forte activité inhibitrice de l’aldose réductase, principalement dans les échantillons qui contenaient des teneurs élevées en composés phénoliques. Une corrélation positive a été observée entre la teneur totale en composés phénoliques et l'inhibition de l'aldose réductase (r2 = 0.44, p = 0.05). Des extraits bruts de Rhododendron groenlandicum ont montré des activités inhibitrices de 35.11 ± 0.16%. Le sous-fractionnement et l'analyse HPLC de R. groenlandicum ont aussi révélé des teneurs élevées des composés phénoliques, incluant la catéchine, l'épicatéchine, la quercétine et les glycosides de quercétine. Cette étude a montré que les plantes médicinales et alimentaires contiennent des composés phytochimiques qui peuvent avoir à la fois des effets biologiques bénéfique et préjudiciable.

This thesis examines the cytochrom P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial properties of 46 common food plants available in the Canadian Market and the inhibitory properties of 17 traditional Cree antidiabetic medicines on aldose reductase. Inhibitory activity profiles of CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 and 2D6 were created for the 46 samples. The most active plants in the CYP inhibition assay were the spices, belonging to the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Similarly, the most active plants in the antimicrobial assay were also the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Swine lens homogenate was tested as a novel model for the aldose reductase inhibition assay. Several Cree plants selected for the aldose reductase study showed a high activity, primarily in samples which also contained high levels of phenolics. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolics content and aldose reductase inhibition r2=0.44, p=0.05. Crude extracts of Rhododendron groenlandicum exhibited inhibitory activities of 35.11 ± 0.16 %. The subfractionation and HPLC analysis of R. groenlandicum revealed high levels of phenolics compounds including, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and quercetin glycosides. This study found that medicinal and food plants contain phytochemicals that may have both beneficial and detrimental biological effects. / Nous avons étudié dans cette thèse les capacités de 46 plantes comestibles, disponibles sur le marché canadien, à inhiber le cytochrome P450 (CYP), enzyme responsable du métabolisme des médicaments, les propriétés antimicrobiennes, et les propriétés inhibitrices de l'aldose réductase à partir de 17 médicaments antidiabétiques traditionnellement utilisés par les Cris. Les profils de l'activité inhibitrice du CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 et 2D6 ont été réalisés pour les 46 plantes à l'étude. Les plantes les plus actives dans le test d'inhibition du CYP furent les épices, plantes appartenant aux familles des Apiaceae et Lamiaceae. De même, les plantes les plus actives dans le bioessai antimicrobien furent aussi les plantes de ces deux mêmes familles. Un homogénat de cristallin de porc a été utilisé comme modèle nouveau pour le test d'inhibition de l'aldose réductase. Plusieurs plantes, utilisées par la nation Cri, qui ont été sélectionnées pour l'étude ont montré une forte activité inhibitrice de l’aldose réductase, principalement dans les échantillons qui contenaient des teneurs élevées en composés phénoliques. Une corrélation positive a été observée entre la teneur totale en composés phénoliques et l'inhibition de l'aldose réductase (r2 = 0.44, p = 0.05). Des extraits bruts de Rhododendron groenlandicum ont montré des activités inhibitrices de 35.11 ± 0.16%. Le sous-fractionnement et l'analyse HPLC de R. groenlandicum ont aussi révélé des teneurs élevées des composés phénoliques, incluant la catéchine, l'épicatéchine, la quercétine et les glycosides de quercétine. Cette étude a montré que les plantes médicinales et alimentaires contiennent des composés phytochimiques qui peuvent avoir à la fois des effets biologiques bénéfique et préjudiciable.

This thesis examines the cytochrom P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial properties of 46 common food plants available in the Canadian Market and the inhibitory properties of 17 traditional Cree antidiabetic medicines on aldose reductase. Inhibitory activity profiles of CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 and 2D6 were created for the 46 samples. The most active plants in the CYP inhibition assay were the spices, belonging to the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Similarly, the most active plants in the antimicrobial assay were also the Apiaceae and Lamiaceae. Swine lens homogenate was tested as a novel model for the aldose reductase inhibition assay. Several Cree plants selected for the aldose reductase study showed a high activity, primarily in samples which also contained high levels of phenolics. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolics content and aldose reductase inhibition r2=0.44, p=0.05. Crude extracts of Rhododendron groenlandicum exhibited inhibitory activities of 35.11 ± 0.16 %. The subfractionation and HPLC analysis of R. groenlandicum revealed high levels of phenolics compounds including, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and quercetin glycosides. This study found that medicinal and food plants contain phytochemicals that may have both beneficial and detrimental biological effects. / Nous avons étudié dans cette thèse les capacités de 46 plantes comestibles, disponibles sur le marché canadien, à inhiber le cytochrome P450 (CYP), enzyme responsable du métabolisme des médicaments, les propriétés antimicrobiennes, et les propriétés inhibitrices de l'aldose réductase à partir de 17 médicaments antidiabétiques traditionnellement utilisés par les Cris. Les profils de l'activité inhibitrice du CYP 3A4, 3A5, 3A7 et 2D6 ont été réalisés pour les 46 plantes à l'étude. Les plantes les plus actives dans le test d'inhibition du CYP furent les épices, plantes appartenant aux familles des Apiaceae et Lamiaceae. De même, les plantes les plus actives dans le bioessai antimicrobien furent aussi les plantes de ces deux mêmes familles. Un homogénat de cristallin de porc a été utilisé comme modèle nouveau pour le test d'inhibition de l'aldose réductase. Plusieurs plantes, utilisées par la nation Cri, qui ont été sélectionnées pour l'étude ont montré une forte activité inhibitrice de l’aldose réductase, principalement dans les échantillons qui contenaient des teneurs élevées en composés phénoliques. Une corrélation positive a été observée entre la teneur totale en composés phénoliques et l'inhibition de l'aldose réductase (r2 = 0.44, p = 0.05). Des extraits bruts de Rhododendron groenlandicum ont montré des activités inhibitrices de 35.11 ± 0.16%. Le sous-fractionnement et l'analyse HPLC de R. groenlandicum ont aussi révélé des teneurs élevées des composés phénoliques, incluant la catéchine, l'épicatéchine, la quercétine et les glycosides de quercétine. Cette étude a montré que les plantes médicinales et alimentaires contiennent des composés phytochimiques qui peuvent avoir à la fois des effets biologiques bénéfique et préjudiciable.