Oxo Substituents Markedly Alter the Phase II Metabolism of α-Hydroxybutenylbenzenes: Models Probing the Bioactivation Mechanisms of Tamoxifen

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Abstract
The P450-catalyzed hydroxylation of tamoxifen to give alpha-hydroxytamoxifen [(E)-4-{4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]phenyl}-3,4-diphenyl-3-buten-2- ol] and subsequent formation of reactive sulfate esters which alkylate DNA has been proposed to be a potential carcinogenic pathway for tamoxifen. In the present study, the ability of alpha-hydroxytamoxifen analogs to form GSH and sulfate conjugates was investigated in order to understand the structural features influencing reactivity. The para oxo analogs 1 [1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1-butene], 2 [1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1-butene], and 4 [1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-hydroxy-1-butene] reacted with GSH instantaneously under strong acidic conditions to yield GSH conjugates in greater than 90% yields. Interestingly, the meta phenolic analogs 3 [1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1-butene] and 5 [1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-hydroxy-1-butene] did not react with GSH to any significant extent under similar conditions. Characterization of the GSH conjugates with 1H-NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, and UV showed that all of the conjugates resulted from attack of GSH at the alpha-position of the substrates with displacement of the hydroxyl group. The formation of a single pair of diastereomeric conjugates strongly supported adduct formation to proceed through a direct S(N)2 displacement mechanism and not through a quinone methide (4-alkyl-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one) intermediate. At physiological pH and temperature only the para hydroxy analogs 2 and 4 gave GSH conjugates, a reaction which seems to be catalyzed by isoforms of glutathione S-transferase. Similar substituent effects were observed in the sulfotransferase-mediated formation of alpha-hydroxy sulfate esters in that only the para hydroxy analogs formed conjugates at the aliphatic hydroxyl group. Finally, the present investigation showed a remarkable difference in the reactivities of para and meta phenolic analogs of alpha-hydroxybutenylbenzenes toward GSH and sulfate conjugation reactions.