Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology
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Treatment with hepatotoxicants such as acetaminophen (APAP) causes resistance to a second, higher dose of the same toxicant (autoprotection). APAP induces hepatic mRNA and protein levels of the multidrug resistance-associated proteins (Mrp) transporters in mice and humans. Basolateral efflux transporters Mrp3 and Mrp4 are the most significantly induced. ⋯ Interestingly, mice pretreated and challenged with APAP had dramatic increases in Mrp4 expression as well as enhanced hepatocyte proliferation. Inhibition of hepatocyte replication with colchicine not only restored sensitivity of APAP-pretreated mice to injury, but also blocked Mrp4 induction. Mrp4 overexpression may be one phenotypic property of proliferating hepatocytes that protects against subsequent hepatotoxicant exposure by mechanisms that are presently unknown.