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Paraquat (PQ), an herbicide widely used in agriculture, is considered a highly toxic compound. In hepatocytes, P-glycoprotein (P-gp/Abcb1) is a canalicular transporter involved in PQ extrusion from the cell. Previously, we demonstrated that genistein (GNT) induces P-gp in rat liver. In this study, the protective role of GNT pretreatment towards hepatic damage in a model of acute intoxication with PQ in rats, was investigated. Wistar rats were randomized in 4 groups: Control, GNT (5 mg/kg/day sc, 4 days), PQ (50 mg/kg/day ip, last day) and GNT+ PQ. Hepatic lipoperoxidation (LPO) was evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method. Hepatic levels of 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts (4-HNEp-add) and glutathione-S-transferase alpha (GSTα) protein expression were evaluated by Western blotting. Hepatic glutathione levels and plasma levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were also measured. Biliary excretion of PQ was studied in vivo and in isolated perfused liver. PQ was quantified by HPLC. PQ significantly increased AST and ALT activities, malondialdehyde and 4-HNEp-add levels, whereby pretreatment with GNT ameliorated this effect. PQ biliary excretion remained unchanged after treatments in both experimental models. Hepatic GSTα expression was augmented in GNT group. GNT pretreatment increased hepatic glutathione levels in PQ + GNT group. These results agree with the lower content of 4-HNEp-adds in GNT + PQ group respect to PQ group. Unexpectedly, increased activity of P-gp did not enhance PQ biliary excretion. Thus, GNT protective mechanism is likely through the induction of GSTα which results in increased 4-HNE metabolism before formation of protein adducts., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an ABC transporter exhibiting high pharmacotoxicological relevance by extruding a wide range of cytotoxic compounds out of the cells. Previously, we demonstrated that the phytoestrogen genistein (GNT) modulates P-gp expression in hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro. Although several beneficial effects (e.g., antioxidant, antimutagenic, anticancer) have been attributed to GNT, the molecular mechanisms have not been totally elucidated. In the present work, we evaluated the effect of GNT on P-gp expression in rat liver, kidney and ileum. We found that GNT (5 mg/kg daily s.c. 3 days) increased hepatic P-gp expression and also Mdr1a (one of the genes encoding P-gp) mRNA levels. Renal and intestinal P-gp remained unchanged after GNT treatment. Hepatic P-gp activity measured with rhodamine-123 and digoxin, both well-known P-gp substrates, was also increased. In vitro experiments using hepatocyte primary cell culture demonstrated that inhibition of ER-α with ICI182/780 did not prevent Mdr1a mRNA up-regulation by GNT (10 µM). In contrast, Mdr1a induction was suppressed after pregnane X receptor (PXR) inhibition by sulforaphane and knockdown of this nuclear receptor. These findings were confirmed in vivo by using the PXR antagonist ketoconazole. In conclusion, we demonstrated the induction of hepatic P-gp expression and activity by GNT in vivo, with PXR being a likely mediator. This suggests that GNT, at concentrations observed in plasma of individuals consuming the phytoestrogen in the diet or through supplements, could affect the clearance of relevant P-gp substrates of therapeutic use as well as toxicity of environmental and food toxicants.