Modified metabolism of a carcinogen, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), by liver S9 from Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice.

Schistosoma japonicum infection has been associated with an increased incidence of liver and colorectal cancers in humans. To explore the mechanisms underlying this association, we investigated the carcinogen-metabolizing properties of liver S9 preparations from S. japonicum-infected mice and compared them with those of S9 from uninfected animals. When the carcinogen 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) was incubated with these S9s and the products were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, we observed that the S9 from infected mice had a lower ability to convert Trp-P-2 into 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2(NHOH)), an activated form of promutagenic Trp-P-2, than the S9 from uninfected mice. We found that both of these S9 preparations have a high ability to reduce Trp-P-2(NHOH) into Trp-P-2; however, the infected-mouse S9 showed a significantly greater reducing power than the control S9. This difference appears to be responsible for the observed lower mutagen-activating potential of the infected mouse S9. These results suggest that hepatic enzyme activities of S. japonicum-infected mice are quantitatively different from those of normal mice.     

Inhibition of acetyl-coenzyme A dependent activation of N-hydroxyarylamines by phenolic compounds, pentachlorophenol and 1-nitro-2-naphthol

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 1-nitro-2-naphthol were found to be potent inhibitors of enzymatic acetyl-CoA dependent activation, which is suggested as proceeding through direct O-acetylation, of N-hydroxyarylamines to tRNA binding by liver cytosolic enzymes from hamsters and rats. IC₅₀ values of PCP for the activation of 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3′,2′-d]imidazole (N-OH-Glu-P-1), 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (N-OH-Trp-P-2) and N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene (N-OH-AF) were 20, 25 and 17 μM, respectively, in hamster cytosol system. Similar inhibition was observed with rat liver cytosol (IC₅₀ values of PCP and 1-nitro-2-naphthol were 13 and 12 μM, respectively, for the binding of N-OH-Glu-P-1). PCP is known as an inhibitor of sulfotransferase; however, another potent inhibitor of sulfotransferase, 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol, did not inhibit the acetyl-CoA dependent binding. Antibiotic thiolactomycin, which inhibits bacterial O-acetyltransferase, did not affect the activation by hamster and rat cytosol, indicating the difference in property between bacterial and mammalian enzymes. The kinetic data obtained with hamster cytosol suggested the competitive inhibition of PCP with substrate, N-OH-Glu-P-1, and non-competitive inhibition with acetyl-CoA. In addition to the O-acetylation, PCP and 1-nitro-2-naphthol also inhibited N-acetylation of arylamines and N, O-acetyltransfer reaction of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF) by hamster cytosol. IC₅₀ values for these two types of acetyltransfer reactions, however, were slightly higher than those observed for acetyl-CoA dependent activations of N-hydroxyarylamines.     

Effects of tannic acid and its related compounds on food mutagens or hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA strands breaks in human lymphocytes

The effect of tannic acid (TA), gallic acid (GA), propyl gallate (PA) and ellagic acid (EA) on DNA damage in human lymphocytes induced by food mutagens [3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido (4,3-b) indole (Trp-P-2) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimadazo (4,5-b) pyridine (PhIP) or H₂O₂ was evaluated by using single-cell electrophoresis (comet assay). The toxicity of these tested compounds (0.1–100 μg/ml) on lymphocytes was not found. These compounds did not cause DNA strand breaks at lower concentrations of 0.1–10 μg/ml. At a concentration of 100 μg/ml, TA and GA exhibited slight DNA damage, whereas PA and EA showed no DNA strand breaks. TA and its related compounds decreased the DNA strand breaks induced by Trp-P-2, PhIP or H₂O₂ at concentrations of 0.1–10 μg/ml. DNA repair enzymes endonuclease III (Endo III) and formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycoslase (FPG)] were used to examine the levels of oxidised pyrimidines and purines in human lymphocytes induced by H₂O₂. All the compounds at 10 μg/ml can reduce the level of FPG sensitive sites. However, only EA inhibited the formation of EndoIII sensitive sites. The results indicated that these compounds can enhance lymphocytes resistance towards DNA strand breaks induced by food mutagens or H₂O₂ in vitro.     

Inhibitory effect of dibenzoylmethane on mutagenicity of food-derived heterocyclic amine mutagens

Dibenzoylmethane (DBM), a structural analogue of curcumin (a bioactive phytochemical present in a widely used spice turmeric) was screened for its inhibitory effect against seven cooked food mutagens (heterocyclic amines): 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), in both TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium using Ames Salmonella/reversion assay in the presence of Aroclor1254-induced rat liver S9 homogenate. DBM has been reported to antagonize the mutagenicity of several chemical carcinogens in vitro and has recently been shown to be even more effective than curcumin in suppressing the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors in rats. But there are no reports regarding its antimutagenic properties against cooked food mutagens. Results of the present investigations clearly indicate that dibenzoylmethane is a very potent antimutagenic agent, that could effectively inhibit mutagenicity induced by all the tested cooked food mutagens in both the frame shift (TA98) as well as the base pair mutation sensitive (TA100) strains of S. typhimurium. These highly potent inhibitory effects of dibenzoylmethane against heterocyclic amines observed in our preliminary investigations strongly warrant further studies of its efficacy as a cancer chemopreventive agent.     

Reduction of enzyme activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase in clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells by carcinogenic heterocyclic amines

Out of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, which are produced by pyrolysis of tryptophan in food, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) were found to reduce the activity of enzymes related to catecholamine metabolism in clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells. By 6 days' culture in the presence of 10 nM to 10 microM Typ-P-1 and -2, these heterocyclic amines were accumulated in the cells, and activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase (AADC) were reduced markedly. Reduction of these enzyme activity was observed with Trp-P-1 and -2 at the concentrations lower than 1 microM, while cell protein and enzyme activity of a non-specific enzyme, beta-galactosidase were reduced only with 10 microM Trp-P-1. These results show that these heterocyclic amines are neurotoxins specific for dopaminergic neurons.     

Inhibition of mutagenicity of food-derived heterocyclic amines by sulforaphane--a constituent of broccoli

Sulforaphane, a constituent of broccoli was investigated for its antimutagenic potential against different classes of cooked food mutagens (heterocyclic amines). These include imidazoazaarenes such as 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP); pyridoindole derivatives such as 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2); and, dipyridoimidazole derivative such as 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1). Tests were carried out by Ames Salmonella/reversion assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 (frame shift mutation sensitive) and TA100 (base pair mutation sensitive) bacterial strains in the presence of Aroclor 1254-induced rat liver S9. Results of these in vitro antimutagenicity studies strongly suggest that sulforaphane is a potent inhibitor of the mutagenicity induced by imidazoazaarenes such as IQ, MeIQ and MeIQx (approximately 60% inhibition) and moderately active against pyridoindole derivatives such as Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 (32-48% inhibition), but ineffective against dipyridoimidazole derivative (Glu-P-1) in TA 100.     

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) induces apoptosis in rat splenocytes and thymocytes by different mechanisms

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) is a potent carcinogen present in cooked meat. Although the target of this carcinogen is mainly in the liver, Trp-P-1 is distributed in the thymus and spleen as well as in the liver after administration. However, the cytotoxic effect of Trp-P-1 on lymphocytes has not been examined in detail. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of Trp-P-1 against rat splenocytes and thymocytes. Trp-P-1 reduced viability of both types of cells in the same manner, the LD₅₀ at 6 h in culture was 15 μM, and the time for the 50% decrease in cell viability (t_1/2) at 20 μM was 3 h. In both types of cells, Trp-P-1 caused the activation of caspase-3-like proteases and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, both of which are biochemical markers of apoptosis. On the other hand, DNA fragmentation occured in splenocytes, but not in thymocytes although Trp-P-1 activated 32–34 kDa nucleases that may not be able to degrade DNA into nucleosomal units. These results indicated that Trp-P-1 induces apoptosis in both splenocytes and thymocytes by different mechanisms in which distinct apoptotic pathways may exist downstream of the caspase cascade.     

Mutagenicity of some heterocyclic amines in Salmonella typhimurium with metabolic activation by human red blood cell cytosol.

Purified human red blood cell cytosol was used to activate the heterocyclic amines 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) into mutagenic intermediate(s) in the Salmonella test. The liquid preincubation method in the presence of strain TA98 was utilized. In order to understand the mechanism involved in this metabolic activation, some modulators were incorporated in the medium. The results suggest that an oxygenated hemoprotein, probably oxyhemoglobin, is involved in the activation into genotoxic intermediate(s).     

Identification of mutagenic heterocyclic amines (IQ, Trp-P-1 and AalphaC) in the water of the Danube river

Three mutagenic heterocyclic amines, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4, 5-f]quinoline (IQ), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AalphaC), were isolated and identified in water from the Danube River in Vienna. Heterocyclic amines were extracted from river water by the blue rayon hanging method, and analyzed by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector (GC-NPD) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after conversion into their N-dimethylaminomethylene derivatives. Identity of IQ, Trp-P-1 and AalphaC in the river water was confirmed by GC-MS. The contents of IQ, Trp-P-1 and AalphaC were estimated by GC-NPD at 1.78+/-0.17, 0.14+/-0.02 and 0.44+/-0.02 ng/g blue rayon equivalent (n=3), respectively. The total amounts of these amines accounted for 26% of the mutagenicity of blue rayon extracts evaluated by the Ames test using TA98 with metabolic activation.     

A simple and rapid method for analyzing the Monascus pigment-mediated degradation of mutagenic 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole by in-capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

A simple and rapid method is described for analyzing the Monascus pigment-mediated degradation of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4, 3-b]indole (Trp-P-2(NHOH)). We used the in-capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). During the electrophoresis, the mutagen and the pigment, due to their different migration velocities, mix for a certain period of time to interact, and then they are separated and quantified. Using this technique, we were able to demonstrate that Trp-P-2(NHOH) is degraded by the pigment. The degradation was pigment-dose dependent, and because the pigment was recovered unchanged, it was deduced that the pigment acted catalytically for the degradation. The entire MEKC procedure takes 8 min.     

Inhibitory effect of curcumin and its natural analogues on genotoxicity of heterocyclic amines from cooked food

Curcumin (C) and its natural analogues demethoxycurcumin (dmC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (bdmC), known for their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects, were tested for their possible inhibitory effects against seven cooked food mutagens (heterocyclic amines): 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), in both TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium using Ames Salmonella/reversion assay in the presence of Aroclor induced rat liver S9 homogenate. In the present investigations, curcumin as well as its two natural analogues i.e., dmC and bdmC were found to be highly effective in suppressing genotoxicity of all the tested cooked food mutagens in a dose-dependent manner, in both the frame shift (TA98) as well as base pair mutation sensitive (TA100) strains of S. typhimurium. However, bdmC appeared to be a relatively less active antimutagen compared to C and dmC. More than 80% inhibition of mutagenicity was observed at 200 microg/plate in case of C and dmC in both TA98 and TA100 against all tested cooked food mutagens. Where as, bdmC showed 39-79% inhibition in TA100 and 60-80% inhibition in TA98, at a dose of 200 microg/plate. These findings warrant further biochemical, enzymatic and in vivo investigations in animal models as well as in humans to establish the chemoprotective effect of these agents against mutagenic heterocyclic amines found in cooked food.     

Regional mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines in the intestine: mutation analysis of the cII gene in lambda/lacZ transgenic mice

Transgenic mouse assays have revealed that the mouse intestine, despite its resistance to carcinogenesis, is sensitive to the mutagenicity of some heterocyclic amines (HCAs). Little is known, however, about the level and localization of that sensitivity. We assessed the mutagenicity of four orally administered (20 mg/kg per day for 5 days) HCAs-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) hydrochloride, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) acetate-in the intestine of male MutaMice. Two weeks after the last administration, we isolated epithelium from the small intestine, cecum, and colon and analyzed lacZ and cII transgene mutations. PhIP increased the lacZ mutant frequency (MF) in all the samples, and in the small intestine, cII and lacZ MFs were comparable. In the cII gene, G:C to T:A and G:C to C:G transversions were characteristic PhIP-induced mutations (which has also been reported for the rat colon, where PhIP is carcinogenic). In the small intestine, PhIP increased the cII MF to four-fold that of the control, but IQ, MeIQ, and Trp-P-2 did not have a significant mutagenic effect. In the cecum, cII MFs induced by IQ and MeIQ were 1.9 and 2.7 times those in the control, respectively. The MF induced by MeIQ in the colon was 3.1 times the control value. Mutagenic potency was in the order PhIP>MeIQ>IQ; Trp-P-2 did not significantly increase the MF in any tissue. The cecum was the most susceptible organ to HCA mutagenicity.     

Activation of a mutagen, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole. Identification of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and its reaction with DNA

A potent mutagen, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), isolated from a tryptophan pyrolysate, was activated metabolically by rat liver microsomes and bound to DNA. An active metabolite formed by rat liver microsomes was identified as 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (N-OH-Trp-P-2). Synthetic N-OH-Trp-P-2 reacted with DNA efficiently after O-acetylation or to a lesser extent under acidic conditions (pH 5.5), but did not react appreciably under neutral conditions. Acid hydrolysis of DNA modified by O-acetylated N-OH-Trp-P-2 (N-OAc-Trp-P-2) gave 3-(8-guanyl)amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Gua-Trp-P-2), which is the main modified base of DNA formed by Trp-P-2 in the presence of microsomes. The glycoside bond of the modified base was found to be cleaved by heating at 100° for 1 hr at pH 7.0. In this way, the modified base was liberated from DNA modified by N-OAc-Trp-P-2 in good yield. N-OAc-Trp-P-2 bound to guanyl cytidine more effectively than to guanylic acid, suggesting that covalent binding with guanyl moiety of DNA involves intercalation of the ultimate mutagen into a base pair.     

Activation of genotoxins to DNA-damaging species in exfoliated breast milk cells

Exfoliated cells, isolated from breast milk samples donated by UK-resident women (n=15), were incubated, either immediately or after culture for 7 days, with one of a series of genotoxins, either in the presence or absence of the DNA-repair inhibitors, hydroxyurea (HU), and cytosine arabinoside (ara-C). The numbers of DNA single-strand breaks induced were then assessed as comet tail length (CTL) (microm) using the alkaline single cell-gel electrophoresis ('Comet') assay; cell viability was measured by trypan blue exclusion. The heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) (0.4 mM), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) (1.67 mM), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) (1.77 mM)), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) (0.36 mM)), a nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (1-nitropyrene (1-NP) (1.84 mM)) and aromatic amines (o-toluidine (0.85 mM), p-chloroaniline (0. 71 mM)) each induced statistically significant (P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney test) increases in median CTLs in breast milk cells from all the donors examined when incubated (30 min, 37 degrees C) in the presence of HU/ara-C. In some cases, these compounds were also active in the absence of the repair inhibitors. There were marked variations in comet formation between donors and between genotoxins. Cell culture appeared to increase the epithelial cell proportion and cultured cells retained their ability to activate genotoxins. The results suggest that breast milk is a valuable source of human mammary cells for the study of the metabolic activation of possible carcinogens.     

Subsequent products after antioxidant actions of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol have no Salmonella mutagenicity

Beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol are important antioxidants biologically, but whether their oxidized products are toxic or not remains to be discovered. Here, we chromatographically separated 5 pure products or isomeric mixtures from reaction mixtures of beta-carotene and reactive oxygens, and 17 lipid-radical scavenging products of alpha-tocopherol. The products were tested for mutagenicity using Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA104, in the presence and absence of S9. None showed mutagenicity against any of the four strains, or cytotoxicity that influenced the survival of the bacteria. Lipid-peroxides have been known to increase the formation of mutagens from dietary procarcinogens such as heterocyclic amines. So, we also measured the activity to increase 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) mutagenicity. The products from beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol did not increase, but rather several of them suppressed, the mutagenicity of Trp-P-2. Thus, the products of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol formed after the antioxidant actions were not genotoxic.     

Novel 5-azaindolocarbazoles as cytotoxic agents and Chk1 inhibitors

We describe here an efficient synthesis of new 5-azaindolocarbazoles designed for cytotoxic and Chk1 inhibiting properties. The synthesis of ‘symmetrical’ and ‘dissymmetrical’ structures is discussed. Concerning the dissymmetrical 5-azaindolocarbazoles derivatives, with both an indole moiety and a 5-azaindole moiety, the synthesis was achieved using two very efficient key steps. The first one is a Stille reaction with a 3-trimethylstannyl-5-azaindole derivative and the second one a photochemical step leading to the proposed polycyclic structure. Various pharmacomodulations were performed to investigate the structure–activity relationships (SAR). Several substituents such as OBn, OH, and methylenedioxy groups were successfully introduced on the indole moiety of the 5-azaindolocarbazole. Compounds with or without substituents on the nitrogen atom of the maleimide were prepared, as well as derivatives with glucopyranosyl substituent on the nitrogen atom of the indole moiety. The cytotoxicity of these new compounds was evaluated on two cell lines (L1210, HT29). Several compounds showed cytotoxicity in the sub-micromolar range. Among the most cytototoxic was the 1,3-dioxolo[4,5-b]-6-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-1H-pyrido[3′,4′:4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-i]pyrrolo[3,4-g]carbazole-5,7(6H,12H)-dione (35, IC₅₀ = 195 nM on L1210). The compounds were also investigated for their Chk1 inhibiting activity. Compounds without any substitution on the maleimide moiety were the most potent. This is the case of compounds 45–47 with IC₅₀ of, respectively, 72, 27, and 14 nM toward Chk1. Compound 46, which exhibits moderate cytotoxicity, appears to be a good candidate for development in a multi-drug anticancer therapy.     

Binding activity of natto (a fermented food) and Bacillus natto isolates to mutagenic-carcinogenic heterocyclic amines.

The fermented food, whole meal Natto, viscous polymeric material from Natto, Natto bean, cooked soya bean, and 28 bacterial isolates from Natto were studied for their binding capacity to foodborne mutagenic-carcinogenic heterocyclic amines. The mutagenic heterocyclic amines used were Trp-P-1 (3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole); Trp-P-2 (3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole); Glu-P-1 (2-amino-6-methyldipyrido(1,2-a:3'2'-d)imidazole); PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5-b)pyridine); IQ (2-amino-3-methylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoline); MeIQ (2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoxaline); MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoxaline); and MeAalphaC (2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido(2,3)indole). The lyophilized Natto and other fractions of Natto exhibited high binding activity towards Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, PhIP, and MeAalphaC, while Glu-P-1, IQ, and MeIQ were not effectively bound. The binding capacity of bacterial isolates (Bacillus natto) were isolate-mutagen dependent. Heat treated lyophilized cells, cell wall, and cytoplasmic contents of the bacterial isolate with the highest binding capacity were analyzed for their ability to bind different heterocyclic amines. The results indicate the importance of the cell wall in binding to heterocyclic amines, whereas the cytoplasmic contents were less effective. Heat-treated cells were not much different from that of viable cells in their binding. The impact of different factors, such as pH, incubation time, metal ions, different concentrations of sodium chloride and alcohol, various enzymes, and acetylation of mutagens on binding of Trp-P-1 and IQ, were discussed. The significance of the present results is also discussed from the viewpoint that Natto, a fermented food, is able to scavenge dietary mutagenic heterocyclic amines through binding.     

Anti-genotoxic activity of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat towards heterocyclic amines and isolation and identification of caftaric acid as an antimutagenic component from the juice

Our study demonstrated that the formation of DNA adducts in liver, lungs, colon and kidneys of mice given a carcinogenic heterocyclic amine, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) or 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), in the diet significantly decreased following the administration of the juice of Vitis coignetiae, purple berries from a vine tree. The juice of V. coignetiae significantly inhibited the clastogenicity and mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines in the micronucleus assay and the Ames test, and was an effective inhibitor of the activities of phase I enzymes (cytochrome P450 1A1 and cytochrome P450 1A2) and enhancer of the activities of phase II enzymes (uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase). We investigated the purification and isolation of an active compound in the juice of V. coignetiae using antimutagenicity as a separation marker. Caftaric acid, a polyphenolic compound, was identified as a component responsible for antimutagenicity in the juice of V. coignetiae towards the carcinogenic heterocyclic amine 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2). This is the first report of antimutagenicity of caftaric acid. Caftaric acid was reported as an inhibitor of the protein-protein interactions mediated by the Src-family kinases. The impact of the juice of V. coignetiae and its constituents on tumor initiation and promotion thus warrants further study.     

Interactions between the active metabolite of tryptophan pyrolysate mutagen, N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2, and lipids: the role of lipid peroxides in the conversion of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 to non-reactive forms

The interactions between lipids and the mutagenic active metabolite of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) and 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2), were studied. Oleic acid showed an inhibitory effect on the formation of this active metabolite mainly by inhibition of hepatic microsomal oxidation systems. On the other hand, microsomal lipids from rat liver and commercial pig liver lecithin diminished the amount of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 without inhibiting the metabolism of Trp-P-2. The direct reaction of these lipids with N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 was disclosed by experiments using N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 and lipids without microsomes. Furthermore, the participation of lipid peroxides in this reaction was suggested by a linear relationship between the concentrations of the conjugated diene of lipids and the disappearance of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2. When [3H]N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 was incubated in the presence of pig liver lecithin, the polar products which were not formed in the incubation without lipids were newly detected by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis.     

Detection of Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2, carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysis products, in dialysis fluid of patients with uremia

In order to estimate the exposure levels of mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in humans, we developed a high-performance liquid chromatography method to detect 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) in dialysis fluid of patients with uremia. Using this methods, dialysis fluid of 12 patients who had received hemodialysis treatment or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was examined. Trp-P-1 was detected in dialysate of all uremic patients (727 +/- 282 pmoles, n = 12). In patients who had been treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, the average amount of Trp-P-1 found in whole dialysate (6 l) per day was 710 +/- 203 pmoles (mean +/- S.D., n = 8). Moreover, Trp-P-2 could be detected in 5 out of 12 patients (206 +/- 85 pmoles, n = 5). These results indicate that patients with uremia are actually exposed to carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysis products. The average exposure level of Trp-P-1 in uremic patients apparently exceeded 710 pmoles (150 ng) per day.