Vol. 29, Issue 3, 319-325, March 2001

Variables in Human Liver Microsome Preparation: Impact on the Kinetics of L--Acetylmethadol (LAAM) N-Demethylation and Dextromethorphan O-Demethylation

Ann C. Nelson,¹ Wei Huang, and David E. Moody

Center for Human Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

We examined three primary variables in the preparation of human liver microsomes. In three experiments, each using three livers, we manipulated 1) the force of the first centrifugation (9,000, 10,500, or 12,000g); 2) the presence of sucrose in the homogenization buffer; and 3) the number of homogenizing strokes (6, 8, or 10). Sedimentation plots for the marker enzymes succinate dehydrogenase, NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (reductase), and glutathione S-transferase in the resulting premicrosomal, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions suggest that enhanced purity of microsomes can be obtained by reducing force of centrifugation, including sucrose, and increasing the number of homogenization strokes. Each microsomal fraction was also assayed for protein content, cytochrome P450, NADH cytochrome b₅ reductase, cytochrome b₅, absorbance at 420, p-nitrophenol hydroxylation, tolbutamide hydroxylation, dextromethorphan N- and O-demethylation, glucuronidation of morphine and 1-naphthol, and ester cleavage of p-nitrophenolacetate. These microsomal indicators were ranked and tested for statistical differences. The use of 9000g statistically increased optimal recovery (per gram of liver) and specific activity (per milligram of protein). The inclusion of sucrose improved activity specific to reductase activity. Ten homogenization strokes improved activity specific to reductase activity. Substrate-dependent activities of dextromethorphan O-demethylation to dextrorphan and the N-demethylation of l--acetylmethadol (LAAM) to norLAAM and dinorLAAM were compared in microsomes prepared with or without sucrose and microsomes prepared using 9,000 or 12,000g force, respectively. No significant differences were found in the concentration-dependent activities. Variation of the methods used to prepare human liver microsomes can significantly affect the recovery and specific activity of microsomal components; however, they do not appear to affect enzyme kinetics.