Analyses of DNA adducts formed by ochratoxin A and aristolochic acid in patients with Chinese herbs nephropathy.

Chinese herbs nephropathy (CHN), a unique type of nephropathy has been associated with the intake of weight-reducing pills containing the Chinese herb Aristolochia fangchi. Moreover, an association between the use of A. fangchi and urothelial cancer in CHN patients has been reported indicating that aristolochic acid (AA) the major alkaloid of A. fangchi might be the causal agent. Similarities of CHN to the Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) have led to the hypothesis of a common etiological agent for both diseases. Evidence has accumulated that BEN is an environmentally-induced disease strongly associated with the fungal mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA). Both, AA and OTA are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic and induce the formation of DNA adducts. As OTA has been suspected as fungal contaminant in the herbal batches used for the preparation of the weight-reducing pills we analysed tissues from CHN patients by the 32P-postlabeling procedure for the presence of DNA adducts related to both OTA and AA exposure. Whereas, AA-specific DNA adducts were detected in all five urinary tract tissues from five patients (total RAL: 32-251 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides), OTA-related DNA adducts were detectable in two kidneys and one ureter only (total RAL: 1.5-3.7 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides). Thus, OTA-related DNA adduct levels were about 50 times lower than AA-DNA adduct levels. In female and male rats that were treated with the slimming regimen in the same way like the CHN patients except that the amount of Chinese herbs was 10 times higher, AA-DNA adducts were found in kidney tissues (total RAL ranging from 51 to 83 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides) but adducts derived from OTA were not observed. These results demonstrate that OTA-related DNA adducts do not play a key role in CHN or CHN-associated urothelial cancer.     

A fluorescence-based analysis of aristolochic acid-derived DNA adducts

Aristolochic acids (AAs), major components of plant extracts from Aristolochia species, form (after metabolic activation) pro-mutagenic DNA adducts in renal tissue. The DNA adducts can be used as biomarkers for studies of AA toxicity. Identification of these adducts is a complicated and time-consuming procedure. We present here a fast, nonisotopic, fluorescence-based assay for the detection of AA-DNA adducts in multiple samples. This approach allows analysis of AA adducts in synthetic DNA with known nucleotide composition and analysis of DNA adducts formed from chemically diverse AAs in vitro. The method can be applied to compare AA-DNA adduct formation in cells and tissues.     

Carcinogenic and nephrotoxic alkaloids aristolochic acids upon activation by NADPH : cytochrome P450 reductase form adducts found in DNA of patients with Chinese herbs nephropathy

Aristolochic acid (AA), a naturally occurring nephrotoxin and carcinogen, has been found to be implicated in an unique type of renal fibrosis, designated Chinese herbs nephropathy (CHN), and associated with the development of urothelial cancer in CHN patients. Understanding, which enzymes are involved in AA activation and/or detoxication is important in the assessment of individual susceptibility of humans to this natural carcinogen. Using the nuclease P1 version of the 32P-postlabeling assay we examined the ability of microsomal NADPH: CYP reductase to activate AA to metabolites forming DNA adducts. Renal and hepatic microsomes, containing NADPH:CYP reductase, generated AA-DNA adduct patterns reproducing those found in renal tissues in patients suffering from a renal fibrosis CHN and urothelial cancer. 7-(Deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)aristolactam I, 7-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)aristolactam I and 7-(deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)aristolactam II were identified as AA-DNA adducts formed by AAI. Two AA-DNA adducts, 7-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl) aristolactam II and 7- (deoxyadenosin-N6-yl) aristolactam II, were generated from AAII. According to the structures of the DNA adducts identified, nitroreduction is the crucial pathway in the metabolic activation of AA. The identity of NADPH: CYP reductase as activating enzyme in microsomes has been proved with different cofactors and an enzyme inhibitor. Alpha-lipoic acid, a selective inhibitor of NADPH: CYP reductase, significantly decreased the amount of the adducts formed by microsomes. Likewise, only a cofactor of the enzyme, NADPH, supported the DNA adduct formation of AAI and AAII, while NADH was ineffective. These results demonstrate an involvement of NADPH: CYP reductase in the activation pathway of AAI and AAII in the microsomal system. Moreover, using the purified enzyme, the participation of this enzyme in the formation of AA-DNA adducts was confirmed. The results presented here are the first report demonstrating a reductive activation of natural nitroaromatic compounds, AA, by NADPH: CYP reductase.     

DNA adducts derived from administration of acrylamide and glycidamide to mice and rats

Acrylamide (AA) is an important industrial chemical that is neurotoxic, mutagenic to somatic and germ cells, and carcinogenic in chronic rodent bioassays. Recent findings of AA in many common starchy foods have sparked renewed interest in determining toxic mechanisms and in understanding the cancer, neurotoxicity, and reproductive risks from typical human exposures. Dosing mice and rats with AA (50 mg/kg) led to presence of glycidamide (GA) in serum and tissues. Furthermore, GA-derived DNA adducts of adenine and guanine were formed in all tissues examined, including both target tissues identified in rodent carcinogenicity bioassays and in non-target tissues. Dosing rats and mice with an equimolar amount of GA typically produced higher levels of DNA adducts than observed with AA. Kinetics of DNA adduct formation and accumulation were measured following oral administration of a single dose of AA (50 mg/kg) or from repeat dosing (1 mg/kg/day), respectively. The formation of these DNA adducts is consistent with previously reported mutagenicity of AA and GA in vitro, which involved reaction of GA with adenine and guanine bases. These results provide strong support for a genotoxic mechanism of AA carcinogenicity in rodents. The kinetic/biomarker approaches described here may represent a meaningful way to extrapolate cancer risks to actual human exposures from food, which are much lower.     

DNA adducts derived from administration of acrylamide and glycidamide to mice and rats

Acrylamide (AA) is an important industrial chemical that is neurotoxic, mutagenic to somatic and germ cells, and carcinogenic in chronic rodent bioassays. Recent findings of AA in many common starchy foods have sparked renewed interest in determining toxic mechanisms and in understanding the cancer, neurotoxicity, and reproductive risks from typical human exposures. Dosing mice and rats with AA (50 mg/kg) led to presence of glycidamide (GA) in serum and tissues. Furthermore, GA-derived DNA adducts of adenine and guanine were formed in all tissues examined, including both target tissues identified in rodent carcinogenicity bioassays and in non-target tissues. Dosing rats and mice with an equimolar amount of GA typically produced higher levels of DNA adducts than observed with AA. Kinetics of DNA adduct formation and accumulation were measured following oral administration of a single dose of AA (50 mg/kg) or from repeat dosing (1 mg/kg/day), respectively. The formation of these DNA adducts is consistent with previously reported mutagenicity of AA and GA in vitro, which involved reaction of GA with adenine and guanine bases. These results provide strong support for a genotoxic mechanism of AA carcinogenicity in rodents. The kinetic/biomarker approaches described here may represent a meaningful way to extrapolate cancer risks to actual human exposures from food, which are much lower.     

32P-analysis of DNA adducts in somatic and reproductive tissues of rats treated with the anticancer antibiotic, mitomycin C

Mitomycin C (MMC) is a clinically used drug with mutagenic and antitumor activities, presumably elicited through its covalent binding to DNA, however, little is known about MMC binding to DNA in vivo. A 32P-postlabeling method that does not require radiolabeled test compounds was employed here to study the formation of DNA adducts in somatic and reproductive tissues of rats 24 h after an i.p. dose of 9 mg/kg MMC. Among 14 tissues studied in female rats, MMC-DNA adduct levels were within a 2-fold range in 11 tissues, i.e. bladder, colon, esophagus, heart, kidney, liver, lung, ovary, pancreas, small intestine and stomach (minimum levels of 9.6-21.9 adducts per 10(7) N). Three other tissues, i.e. brain, spleen and thymus, exhibited lower adduct levels (0.2 5.4 and 1.4 adducts, respectively, per 10(7) N). Liver DNA adduct levels were 32% lower in male than in female rats. Testicular DNA contained 2.5 adducts per 10(7) N, i.e. 5.3 times less than ovarian DNA. 32P-labeled adduct patterns were qualitatively similar among the different tissues and consisted of 10 adducts, one of which comprised 71 (+/- 5)% of the total. All these adducts were chromatographically identical to adducts formed by the reaction of chemically reduced MMC with DNA in vitro, demonstrating that metabolic activation of MMC occurred via reduction. Using homopolydeoxyribonucleotides modified with MMC, in vivo adducts were shown to be mostly (greater than 90%) guanine derivatives and small amounts of adenine, cytosine and thymine products. Most of the adducts appeared to be monofunctional derivatives of DNA nucleotides. Dose-dependent MMC-DNA adduct formation was determined in rat liver over an 82-fold range of MMC administered (0.11-9.0 mg/kg). The lowest dose level studied was 4.5 times lower than the recommended single dose for human cancer chemotherapy (20 mg/m2). Thus, these results predict that 32P-postlabeling methodology is suitable to monitor and quantify DNA adducts in tissue biopsies of patients receiving MMC chemotherapy.     

A novel and specific method for the determination of aristolochic acid-derived DNA adducts in exfoliated urothelial cells by using ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is associated with the prolonged exposure to nephrotoxic and carcinogenic aristolochic acids (AAs). DNA adducts induced by AAs have been proven to be critical biomarkers for AAN. Therefore, accurate and specific quantification of AA-DNA adducts is important. In this study, a specific method using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed and applied for the determination of 7-(deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)aristolactam I (dA-AAI) in exfoliated urothelial cells of AA-dosed rats. After the isolation from urine samples, DNA in urothelial cells were subjected to enzymatic digestion and solid-phase extraction on a C(18) Sep-Pak cartridge for the enrichment of DNA adducts. The sample extracts were analyzed by reverse-phase UPLC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization in positive ion mode. The quantification of the AA-DNA adduct was performed by using multiple reaction monitoring with reserpine as internal standard. The method provided good accuracy and precision with a detection limit of 1 ng/ml, which allowed the detection of trace of dA-AAI in exfoliated urothelial cells. After one-month oral dose of AAI at 10 mg/kg/day, 2.1±0.3 dA-AAI per 10(9) normal dA was detected in exfoliated urothelial cells of rats. Compared to the traditional methods such as (32)P-postlabelling and HPLC with fluorescence detection, the developed UPLC-MS/MS method is more specific and rapid with a retention time of 4 min. The outcome of this study may have clinical significance for diagnosing and monitoring AA-associated disease because detection of DNA adducts in exfoliated urothelial cells is non-invasive and convenient.     

DNA damage and repair in gastric cancer--a correlation with the hOGG1 and RAD51 genes polymorphisms

Aristolochic acid (AA) is a potent nephrotoxin and carcinogen and is the causative factor for Chinese herb nephropathy. AA has been associated with the development of urothelial cancer in humans, and kidney and forestomach tumors in rodents. To investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the tumorigenicity of AA, we determined the DNA adduct formation and mutagenicity of AA in the liver (nontarget tissue) and kidney (target tissue) of Big Blue rats. Groups of six male rats were gavaged with 0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg AA/kg body weight five times/week for 3 months. The rats were sacrificed 1 day after the final treatment, and the livers and kidneys were isolated. DNA adduct formation was analyzed by ³²P-postlabeling and mutant frequency (MF) was determined using the λ Select-cII Mutation Detection System. Three major adducts (7-[deoxyadenosin-N⁶-yl]-aristolactam I, 7-[deoxyadenosin-N⁶-yl]-aristolactam II and 7-[deoxyguanosin-N²-yl]-aristolactam I) were identified. There were strong linear dose-responses for AA-induced DNA adducts in treated rats, ranging from 25 to 1967 adducts/10⁸ nucleotides in liver and 95–4598 adducts/10⁸ nucleotides in kidney. A similar trend of dose-responses for mutation induction also was found, the MFs ranging from 37 to 666 × 10⁻⁶ in liver compared with the MFs of 78–1319 × 10⁻⁶ that we previously reported for the kidneys of AA-treated rats. Overall, kidneys had at least two-fold higher levels of DNA adducts and MF than livers. Sequence analysis of the cII mutants revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the mutation spectra in both kidney and liver of AA-treated and control rats, but there was no significant difference between the mutation spectra in AA-treated livers and kidneys. A:T → T:A transversion was the predominant mutation in AA-treated rats; whereas G:C → A:T transition was the main type of mutation in control rats. These results indicate that the AA treatment that eventually results in kidney tumors in rats also results in significant increases in DNA adduct formation and cII MF in kidney. Although the same treatment does not produce tumors in rat liver, it does induce DNA adducts and mutations in this tissue, albeit at lower levels than in kidney.     

In vivo covalent binding of [14C]trinitrotoluene to proteins in the rat.

When a single dose of [14C]trinitrotoluene was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to rats at 1, 10 or 50 mg/kg of body weight, covalently bound radioactivity was detected in globin, plasma proteins and proteins in the liver and kidney. The extent of covalent binding was dose dependent and was highest in plasma and renal proteins at all times up to 4 h after dosing. Covalent adduct levels in globin, however, decline slower than others. At a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight, globin covalent adduct levels peaked at 1 h after dosing at 182 pmol/mg protein and subsequently decreased to approximately 50 pmol/mg protein between days 1 and 8. Of the covalent adduct levels in liver and kidney, those in the 10,000 x g and microsomal fractions were found to be higher than that in the cytosolic fraction. Radioactivity covalently bound to globin and the hepatic proteins was susceptible to dilute acid hydrolysis from which 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2A) and 4-amino 2,6-dinitrotoluene (4A) were the major products recovered by solvent extraction. Upon acetylation, the hydrolysate gave rise to derivatives identified as the acetates of 2A and 4A on the basis of mass spectrometry and HPLC cochromatography with authentic samples. Four hours after an i.p. dose of [14C]TNT at 50 mg/kg of body weight about 0.4% of the dose was found as bound adducts to hemoglobin, of which approximately 48% was recovered as solvent extractable radioactivity after acid hydrolysis. About 2% of the radioactive dose was in the liver, of which approximately 30% was covalently bound to hepatic proteins, and approximately 49% of that was convertible to solvent extractable radioactivity upon acid hydrolysis. In vitro incubation of [14C]TNT with blood showed that there was a linear increase of covalent adducts in globin during the first 2 h of incubation; the concentration of covalent adducts was slightly higher than that with plasma proteins. The major compounds recovered from the hydrolysate of the globin adducts were also 2A and 4A as obtained from globin in the in vivo studies. On the basis of the in vitro and in vivo study results, we have confirmed the formation of protein adducts following a single i.p. administration of [14C]TNT at 1, 10 or 50 mg/kg of body weight to the rat or by in vitro incubation with blood.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Monitoring the exposure of rats to 2-acetylaminofluorene by the estimation of mutagenic activity in excreta, sister-chromatid exchanges in peripheral blood cells and DNA adducts in peripheral blood, liver and spleen

The sensitivity of various methods suitable for biomonitoring the exposure to genotoxicants was compared in an animal model. The results were related to the presence of genotoxic effects in the target organ. Groups of male Wistar rats were given one oral dose of 0, 0.1, 10 or 200 mg 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)/5 ml dimethyl sulphoxide/kg body weight. Peripheral blood cells, excreta, liver and spleen were collected at different time intervals after dosing. Mutagenicity in urine and extracts of faeces was determined using the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with and without S9 and with and without beta-glucuronidase. Genotoxic effects were studied by measuring DNA-adduct formation in lymphocytes, liver and spleen, and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in lymphocytes. DNA adducts were measured with immunochemical techniques and postlabelling methods. Mutagenicity in urine and faeces, collected during the first 24 h after treatment, was detected at 2-AAF doses of 1 mg/kg b.w. and higher. At these doses DNA adducts also became apparent in the liver, the main target organ for tumour induction by 2-AAF. The adduct detected appeared to be the N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-AAF adduct. There was no evidence of the presence of any other types of DNA adducts. At doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg b.w. no mutagenicity was detected in excreta collected during the second and third day after dosing. The DNA-adduct level in liver cells of the 1 mg/kg b.w. group was maximal 24 h after dosing. At 200 mg/kg b.w. a delay in excretion of mutagenicity with urine and faeces was seen and at 10 and 200 mg/kg b.w. the amount of DNA adducts continued to increase with time after dosing. At 24 and 48 h after treatment with 10 mg, the adduct levels were of the same order of magnitude as those found after the 20-fold higher dose. This points to overloading of the metabolizing system which in combination with the enterohepatic circulation, may lead to an increased retention of 2-AAF in the body. A slightly increased incidence of SCEs of doubtful significance was seen in lymphocytes, but only at the very high dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. No DNA adducts could be detected in blood lymphocytes or spleen cells at any of the dose levels applied, either with the immunochemical or with the postlabelling method.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Evidence for reductive activation of carcinogenic aristolochic acids by prostaglandin H synthase -- (32)P-postlabeling analysis of DNA adduct formation

Aristolochic acid (AA), a naturally occurring nephrotoxin and carcinogen, is implicated in an unique type of renal fibrosis, designated Chinese herbs nephropathy (CHN), which can develop to urothelial cancer. Understanding which enzymes are involved in AA activation and/or detoxication is important in the assessment of an individual susceptibility to this natural carcinogen. We examined the ability of prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) to activate AA to metabolites forming DNA adducts with the nuclease P1 and 1-butanol extraction enrichment procedure of the (32)P-postlabeling assay. PHS is a prominent enzyme in the kidney and urothelial tissues. Ram seminal vesicle (RSV) microsomes, which contain high levels of PHS, generated AA-DNA adduct patterns reproducing those found in renal tissues in CHN patients. 7-(Deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)aristolactam I, 7-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)aristolactam I and 7-(deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)aristolactam II were identified as AA-DNA adducts formed by AAI. Two adducts, 7-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)aristolactam II and 7-(deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)aristolactam II, were generated from AAII. According to the structures of the DNA adducts identified, nitroreduction is the crucial pathway in the metabolic activation of AA. The identity of PHS as the activating enzyme in RSV microsomes was proven with different cofactors and inhibitors. Only indomethacin, a selective inhibitor of PHS, significantly decreased the amount of adducts formed by RSV microsomes. The inhibitor of NADPH:CYP reductase (alpha-lipoic acid) and some selective inhibitors of cytochromes P450 (CYP) were not effective. Likewise, only cofactors of PHS, arachidonic acid and hydrogen peroxide, supported the DNA adduct formation of AAI and AAII, while NADPH and NADH were ineffective. These results demonstrate a key role of PHS in the activation pathway of AAI and AAII in the RSV microsomal system and were corroborated with the purified enzyme, namely ovine PHS-1. The results presented here are the first report demonstrating a reductive activation of nitroaromatic compounds by PHS-1.     

DNA adduct formation by the ubiquitous environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone and its metabolites in rats

Diesel exhaust is known to induce tumours in animals and is suspected of being carcinogenic in humans. Of the compounds found in diesel exhaust, 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is an extremely potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen forming multiple DNA adducts in vitro. 3-Aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), 3-acetylaminobenzanthrone (3-Ac-ABA), and N-acetyl-N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-Ac-N-OH-ABA) were identified as 3-NBA metabolites. In order to gain insight into the pathways of metabolic activation leading to 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts we treated Wistar rats intraperitoneally with 2mg/kg body weight of 3-NBA, 3-ABA, 3-Ac-ABA, or N-Ac-N-OH-ABA and compared DNA adducts present in different organs. With each compound either four or five DNA adduct spots were detected by TLC in all tissues examined (lung, liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, and colon) using the nuclease P1 or butanol enrichment version of the 32P-postlabelling method, respectively. Using HPLC co-chromatographic analysis we showed that all major 3-NBA-DNA adducts produced in vivo in rats are derived from reductive metabolites bound to purine bases and lack an N-acetyl group. Our results indicate that 3-NBA metabolites (3-ABA, 3-Ac-ABA and N-Ac-N-OH-ABA) undergo several biotransformations and that N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-ABA) appears to be the common intermediate in 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct formation. Therefore, 3-NBA-DNA adducts are useful biomarkers for exposure to 3-NBA and its metabolites and may help to identify enzymes involved in their metabolic activation.     

Investigation of benzene oxide in bone marrow and other tissues of F344 rats following metabolism of benzene in vitro and in vivo.

This study examines the initial activation of benzene, exploring key aspects of its metabolism by measurement of benzene oxide (BO) and BO-protein adducts in vitro and in vivo. To assess the potential influence of various factors on the production of BO, microsomes were prepared from tissues that were either targets of benzene toxicity, i.e. the bone marrow and Zymbal glands, or not targets, i.e. liver and kidneys, of control and acetone-treated F344 rats. No BO or phenol was detected in microsomal preparations of bone marrow or Zymbal glands (less than 0.007 nmol BO/mg protein and 0.7 nmol phenol/mg protein). On the other hand, BO and phenol were readily detected in preparations of liver and kidney microsomes and acetone pretreatment resulted in a 2-fold (kidney) increase or 3.7-fold (liver) increase in production of these metabolites. Initial rates of BO production in the liver isolates were 30 (control) to 50 (acetone-treated) times higher than in the corresponding kidney tissues. The estimated half-life of BO in bone marrow homogenates was 6.0 min and the second-order reaction rate constant was estimated to be 1.35 x 10(-3) l (g bone marrow)(-1) (h)(-1). These kinetic constants were used with measurements of BO-bone marrow adducts in F344 rats, receiving a single gavage dosage of 50-400 mg benzene (kg body weight)(-1) (McDonald, T.M., et al. (1994), Cancer Res. 54, 4907-4914), to predict the bone marrow dose of BO. Among the rats receiving 400 mg (kg body weight) (-1), a BO dose of 1.13 x 10(3) nM BO-h was estimated for the bone marrow, or roughly 40% of the corresponding blood dose predicted from BO-albumin adducts. Together these data suggest that, although BO is not produced at detectable levels in the bone marrow or Zymbal glands of F344 rats, BO is rapidly distributed via the bloodstream to these tissues where it may play a role in toxicity.     

32P-postlabelling analysis of DNA adducts from Fischer-344 rats administered 2,4-diaminotoluene.

Using 32P-postlabelling and thin layer chromatography, DNA adduct formation by the potent animal carcinogen 2,4-diaminotoluene in Fischer-344 rats was investigated. DNA from four different organs, liver, mammary gland, kidney and lung, were examined for adducts following single administration of this compound. DNA binding was detected in all four organs, with each producing one major and two minor adduct spots on autoradiograms. The adducts induced were qualitatively identical among the different organs, but quantitative differences were observed. The two target organs of 2,4-diaminotoluene induced carcinogenesis, the liver and mammary gland produced higher adduct yields, with levels up to 30-times higher than those for the two non-target organs. Since the liver is the principal target for 2,4-diaminotoluene induced carcinogenesis, we further examined DNA adducts from this site for the effects of different doses and time points. DNA binding in liver was detected following doses as low as 4.1 mumol/kg. At the highest concentration examined (2046 mumol/kg), the level of the major adduct was 29.2 adducted nucleotides per 10(7) total nucleotides. The yields for the two minor adducts were approximately one-tenth that for the major adduct. Following a 410 mumol/kg dose, DNA adduct removal over time was examined. DNA adduct removal exhibited biphasic kinetics, with a rapid initial phase followed by a slower rate of elimination. Up to 60% of maximum adduct levels persisted after 2 weeks. DNA binding by 2,4-diaminotoluene was also compared to that by its weakly carcinogenic analog, 2,4-dinitrotoluene. The two compounds produced identical adduct patterns, suggesting that they share common metabolites and adducts. Adduct yields from 2,4-dinitrotoluene, however, were lower. The results of our studies suggest that the differences in carcinogenic potency between 2,4-diaminotoluene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene, as well as the organotropic effects of 2,4-diaminotoluene may be explained, in part, by quantitative differences in the extent of DNA adduct formation.     

Relative sensitivity of 32P-postlabelling of DNA and the autoradiographic UDS assay in the liver of rats exposed to 2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAF)

Groups of male Alderley Park rats were dosed concomitantly with 2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAF) by gavage at doses between 0.01 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, and livers sampled 2-72 h later. The liver of one group of animals was perfused to yield hepatocytes which were assayed in vitro for unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) via incorporation of tritiated thymidine and autoradiography. DNA was extracted from the livers of the other group and DNA adduct levels determined using the 32P-postlabelling technique. The major C-8 2-aminofluorene/guanosine adduct and 3 minor adducts were quantitated, enabling the relative sensitivity of the 2 techniques to be compared. A dose- and time-related UDS response was observed, which, at the most sensitive time-point (12 h) enabled DNA repair to be discerned at a dose level of 0.1-1 mg/kg of 2AAF, a response classified as formally positive at 5 mg/kg 2AAF. Only the C-8 adduct, as determined by 32P-postlabelling, was discernible at 0.01 mg/kg of 2AAF, although other adducts were visible on autoradiograms at higher dose levels. It is concluded that as part of a well-defined dose response, UDS can be discerned with confidence for doses of 2AAF between approximately 0.1 and 5 mg/kg, and DNA adducts for doses of 2AAF between approximately 0.01 and 1 mg/kg. Discernible UDS for 2AAF in the rat liver is apparent at approximately 13 DNA (total) adducts/10(8) nucleotides, or approximately 8 DNA (C-8) adducts/10(8) nucleotides. The presumed C-8 2-acetylaminofluorene/guanosine adduct, prepared by reaction of 2-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAAF) with DNA, was a significant but unreliable marker of 2AAF/DNA adducts in the rat liver in vivo. DNA repair did not appear to remove DNA adducts selectively, and adducts remained in DNA when discernible DNA repair had ceased.     

Metabolic activation of carcinogenic aristolochic acid, a risk factor for Balkan endemic nephropathy

Aristolochic acid (AA), a naturally occurring nephrotoxin and carcinogen, is associated with tumor development in patients suffering from Chinese herbs nephropathy (now termed aristolochic acid nephropathy, AAN) and may also be a cause for the development of a similar type of nephropathy, the Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). Major DNA adducts [7-(deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)-aristolactam and 7-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)aristolactam] formed from AA after reductive metabolic activation were found in renal tissues of patients with both diseases. Understanding which human enzymes are involved in AA activation and/or detoxication is important in the assessment of an individual's susceptibility to this plant carcinogen. This paper reviews major hepatic and renal enzymes responsible for AA-DNA adduct formation in humans. Phase I biotransformation enzymes play a crucial role in the metabolic activation of AA to species forming DNA adducts, while a role of phase II enzymes in this process is questionable. Most of the activation of AA in human hepatic microsomes is mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 and, to a lower extent, by CYP1A1; NADPH:CYP reductase plays a minor role. In human renal microsomes NADPH:CYP reductase is more effective in AA activation. Prostaglandin H synthase (cyclooxygenase, COX) is another enzyme activating AA in human renal microsomes. Among the cytosolic reductases, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is the most efficient in the activation of AA in human liver and kidney. Studies with purified enzymes confirmed the importance of CYPs, NADPH:CYP reductase, COX and NQO1 in the AA activation. The orientation of AA in the active sites of human CYP1A1, -1A2 and NQO1 was predicted from molecular modeling and explains the strong reductive potential of these enzymes for AA detected experimentally. We hypothesized that inter-individual variations in expressions and activities of enzymes activating AA may be one of the causes responsible for the different susceptibilities to this carcinogen reflected in the development of AA-induced nephropathies and associated urothelial cancer.     

Adducts with haemoglobin and with DNA in epichlorohydrin-exposed rats

Epichlorohydrin (1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane; ECH) is an important industrial chemical and a carcinogen in experimental animals. The main aims of the present study were to characterize the adduct formation in female Wistar rats and to identify adducts that could potentially be used in human biomonitoring studies. The total binding of radioactivity to haemoglobin in rats administered 0, 0. 11, 0.22, 0.43, or 0.97 mmol [3H]ECH/kg body weight by i.p. injection, and sacrificed 24 h after treatment, was linearly related to a dose up to 0.43 mmol/kg body weight. The binding at the highest dose was higher than predicted by extrapolation from lower doses, indicating saturation of a metabolic process for elimination of ECH. Ion-exchange chromatography of a globin hydrolysate showed one major radioactivity peak corresponding to S-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)cysteine. The half-life of this adduct was estimated as about 4 days by analysis of globin from rats administered 0.43 mmol/kg body weight and sacrificed after 1, 2 and 9 days. Crosslinking of the adduct, presumably with glutathione, appeared to be the predominant secondary reaction. Hydrolysis of N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)valine, the primary reaction product of ECH with N-terminal valine, would give N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)valine. A sensitive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the dihydroxypropyl adduct was used to follow its formation and removal after administration of nonlabelled ECH (0.11 mmol/kg body weight). The level of this adduct reached a maximum of about 20 pmol/g globin after a few weeks, corresponding to about 0.1% of the initial binding of ECH to globin. N-7-(3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)guanine was detected in rats administered 0.97 mmol [3H]ECH/kg body weight and sacrificed 6 h after treatment. The adduct levels in haemoglobin and DNA were compared with previously reported adduct levels in male Fischer 344 rats exposed to propylene oxide. Despite its higher chemical reactivity, the capacity of ECH to alkylate macromolecules in vivo was found to be somewhat lower than that of propylene oxide.     

Formation and persistence of benzo[a]pyrene-diolepoxide-DNA adducts in liver of English sole (Parophrys vetulus)

The formation of DNA adducts from the carcinogenic environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was investigated in liver of English sole (Parophrys vetulus), a fish species that exhibits a high prevalence of liver neoplasms in several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated areas of Puget Sound, WA. Analysis by the 32P-postlabeling assay of hepatic DNA digests from English sole exposed parenterally to BaP showed the presence of BaP-diol epoxide (BaPDE)-DNA adducts. When English sole were injected with 2-15 mg BaP/kg body wt., one major adduct was detected and was identified as the anti-BaPDE-DNA adduct. Moreover, in English sole sampled at 1, 28 and 60 days post-exposure to 15 mg BaP/kg body wt., there was no significant change in the level of the anti-BaPDE-DNA adduct. The autoradiographs of 32P-labeled hepatic DNA digests from fish exposed to 100 mg BaP/kg body wt. showed an elongated spot suggesting the presence of more than one adduct. Chromatography on large polyethyleneimine sheets (20 x 20 cm) showed 2 spots with the same chromatographic characteristics as those of syn- and anti-BaPDE-deoxyguanosine adduct standards. Mild acid hydrolysis of hepatic DNA of English sole, exposed to 100 mg BaP/kg body wt., also revealed the presence of tetrols derived from both anti- and syn-BaPDE, thus confirming the presence of syn- and anti-BaPDE. In fish exposed to 2-100 mg BaP/kg body wt., a linear (0.996) dose response for anti-BaPDE-DNA adduct formation was observed. The results from this study offer the first direct evidence for the formation of the suspected ultimate carcinogen, BaPDE, in liver of English sole exposed to BaP in vivo and thus further support the hypothesis that exposure to PAHs is an important factor in the etiology of hepatic neoplasms in English sole from contaminated sites.     

Inhibition of cigarette smoke-related DNA adducts in rat tissues by indole-3-carbinol

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) found in various cruciferous vegetables has been shown to exert anti-carcinogenic activity in several target organs. In this study, we have investigated the effects of I3C on cigarette smoke-related lipophilic DNA adduct formation, potentially a key step in chemical carcinogenesis. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to sidestream cigarette smoke in a whole-body exposure chamber for 6 h per day, 7 days a week for 4 weeks. Control animals received only vehicle while the intervention groups received I3C (1. 36 or 3.40 mmol/kg, b.wt.) daily by gavage starting from 1 week prior to smoke initiation until the end of the experiment. Analysis of tissue DNA by nuclease P1-mediated 32P-postlabeling showed one major and several minor smoke-related adducts in lung, trachea, heart and bladder. The high dose of I3C significantly inhibited the major adducts in lung (#5) and trachea (#3) by 55% each; minor adducts were slightly inhibited (20-40%). The low dose of I3C showed lesser degree of inhibition (30-40%) in both lung and trachea; however, it was found statistically significant in lung only. The major smoke-related adduct in bladder (#2) was strongly inhibited (>65%) by high dose of I3C approaching adduct levels achieved in sham-exposed rats. A small but statistically significant decrease in the smoke-related DNA adduct (#5) in heart tissue was also observed by intervention with high dose I3C. Low levels (30-50 adducts/10(10) nucleotides) of I3C-derived DNA adducts were also found in all the tissues examined although their significance remains unknown. These data show significant inhibition of cigarette smoke-related DNA adducts by I3C, particularly in the lung, trachea, and bladder.     

Dose responses for DNA adduct formation in tissues of rats and mice exposed by inhalation to low concentrations of 1,3-[2,3-[(14)C]-butadiene

Male Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed to either a single 6h or a multiple (5) daily (6h) nose-only dose of 1,3-[2,3-(14)C]-butadiene at exposure concentrations of nominally 1, 5 or 20 ppm. The aim was to compare the results with those from a similar previous study at 200 ppm. DNA isolated from liver, lung and testis of exposed rats and mice was analysed for the presence of butadiene related adducts, especially the N7-guanine adducts. Total radioactivity present in the DNA from liver, lung and testis was quantified and indicated more covalent binding of radioactivity for mouse tissue DNA than rat tissue DNA. Following release of the depurinating DNA adducts by neutral thermal hydrolysis, the liberated depurinated DNA adducts were measured by reverse phase HPLC coupled with liquid scintillation counting. The guanine adduct G4, assigned as N7-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)- guanine, was the major adduct measured in liver, lung and testis DNA in both rats and mice. Higher levels of G4 were detected in all mouse tissues compared with rat tissue. The dose-response relationship for the formation of adduct G4 was approximately linear for all tissues studied for both rats and mice exposed in the 1-20 ppm range. The formation of G4 in liver tissue was about three times more effective for mouse than rat in this exposure range. Average levels of adduct G4 measured in liver DNA of rats and mice exposed to 5 x 6 h 1, 5 and 20 ppm 1,3-[2,3-(14)C]-butadiene were, respectively, for rats: 0.79 +/- 0.30, 2.90 +/- 1.19, 16.35 +/- 4.8 adducts/10(8) nucleotides and for mice: 2.23 +/- 0.71, 12.24 +/- 2.15, 48.63 +/- 12.61 adducts/10(8) nucleotides. For lung DNA the corresponding values were for rats: 1.02 +/- 0.44, 3.12 +/- 1.06, 17.02 +/- 4.07 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, and for mice: 3.28 +/- 0.32, 14.04 +/- 1.55, 42.47 +/- 13.12 adducts/10(8) nucleotides. Limited comparative data showed that the levels of adduct G4 formed in liver and lung DNA of mice exposed to a single exposure to butadiene in the present 20 ppm study and earlier 200 ppm study were approximately directly proportional across dose, but this was not observed in the case of rats. From the available evidence it is most likely that adduct G4 was formed from a specific isomer of the diol-epoxide metabolite, 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol rather than the diepoxide, 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane. Another adduct G3, possibly a diastereomer of N7-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)-guanine or most likely the regioisomer N7-(1-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-guanine, was also detected in DNA of mouse tissues but was essentially absent in DNA from rat tissue. Qualitatively similar profiles of adducts were observed following exposures to butadiene in the present 20 ppm study and the previous 200 ppm study. Overall the DNA adduct levels measured in tissues of both rats and mice were very low. The differences in the profiles and quantity of adducts seen between mice and rats were considered insufficient to explain the large difference in carcinogenic potency of butadiene to mice compared with rats.