Inhibition of DNA Adduct Formation and Mutagenic Action of 3-Amino-l-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole by Chlorophyllin-chitosan in rpsL Transgenic Mice

We have studied the inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin-chitosan (Chl-Chi) complex, an insoluble form of chlorophyllin, on the DNA adduct formation and mutagenesis by a heterocyclic food mutagen-carcinogen, 3-amino-l-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), in mice carrying the E. coli rpsL gene as a mutagenesis reporter. Upon administration of a diet containing 0.002% or 0.01% Trp-P-2, DNA adducts were formed in various tissues in a dose-dependent manner, with the maximum level observed in the liver. Addition of 3% Chl-Chi to the diet reduced the Trp-P-2 adduct by up to 90%. The rpsL mutant frequencies increased significantly in both the liver and spleen upon administration of a 0.01% Trp-P-2 diet. Addition of Chl-Chi to the diet decreased these induced mutant frequencies to the background level. No harmful effect of Chl-Chi was detected during these experiments. The results show that Chl-Chi may be a candidate chemopreventive agent against the genotoxic action of Trp-P-2, and possibly also other aromatic carcinogens in the diet.     

Effects of bile acids on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-induced aberrant crypt foci and DNA adduct formation in the rat colon

The effects of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the rat colon were examined. The effect of these bile acids on DNA adduct formation by PhIP in the colon was then analyzed, since the main action of PhIP is the formation of DNA adducts and subsequent gene mutations. For the ACF study, male F344 rats were administered PhIP-HCl (75 mg/kg, 10 doses) by gavage, and a diet containing bile acid (0.4% DCA or UDCA) was provided from 3 days before the first dose of PhIP for 8 weeks. The mean number of ACF per colon of DCA, UDCA and controls were 9.9, 2.4 and 5.5, respectively. The ACF number was significantly increased by DCA and decreased by UDCA (P<0.001). To examine the effect of bile acids on DNA adduct formation, male F344 rats were fed a diet supplemented with bile acids (0.1 or 0.4% of DCA and UDCA) 7 days prior to the PhIP administration. All rats were administered a single dose of PhIP-HCl (50 mg/kg) by gavage and sacrificed 48 hours later. DNA adduct levels of the 0.1% UDCA, 0.1% DCA and controls were 2.93 (adducts/10(7) nucleotides), 2.65 and 1.10, respectively. Those of 0.4% UDCA, 0.4% DCA and controls were 1.64, 1.30 and 1.00, respectively. The PhIP-DNA adduct level was significantly increased by administration of 0.1% UDCA, 0.1% DCA (P<0.05) and 0.4% UDCA (P<0.01). The increasing effect of both DCA and UDCA on PhIP-induced DNA adduct formation was unexpected, and was not directly associated with ACF formation.     

Different Mutation Frequencies and Spectra among Organs by N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea in rpsL (strA) Transgenic Mice

The frequencies and spectra of N -methyl- N -nitrosourea (MNU)-induced in vivo somatic mutations were determined in rpsL (strA) transgenic mice. The wild-type rpsL gene, which exhibits a streptomycin-sensitive (Sm^s) phenotype, was used as the rescue marker gene. Studies of mutation spectra among different organs and tissues were simplified using this system because of the short coding sequence (375 bp) of the rpsL gene. MNU administration to transgenic mice significantly elevated the mutation frequencies in various adult organs. Two distinctive patterns of mutation spectrum were observed, depending on the organs tested. Mutations derived from labile organs (spleen and thymus) were predominantly G:C to A:T transitions, as expected for MNU mutagenesis. Stable organs like the liver and brain, however, carried many fewer G:C to A:T transitions but significantly more single base deletions, of which the spectrum was very similar to that of background mutations in the rpsL transgenic mice. This spectrum difference among more and less proliferating organs was confirmed by the predominant occurrence of G:C to A:T transitions in fetal liver cells exposed to transplacental MNU treatment. In addition, most (approximately 90%) of the G:C to A:T transitions induced by MNU were detected in the first nucleotide of some 5'-G-(C or G)-3' sequences, many of which corresponded to the middle guanine residue of 5'-purine-G-(C or G)-3' sequences. It is thus suggested that at particular sites, the neighboring bases in both the 5' side and 3' side seem to influence either the susceptibility to DNA damage or the ability to repair MNUinduced lesions.     

Aflatoxin-DNA adduct formation in chronically dosed rats fed a choline-deficient diet

Nutritional modulation of male Fischer rats by a choline-deficient/methionine-low diet dramatically increases hepatocarcinogenesis and reduces time to first tumors induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The effect of this diet on hepatic aflatoxin-DNA adduct burden in male Fischer rats dosed with a carcinogenic regimen of AFB1 was examined in this study. After 3 weeks of ingestion of a choline-deficient/methionine-low diet or control semi-purified diet, rats were administered a carcinogenic regimen of 25 micrograms [3H]AFB1 for 5 days a week over 2 weeks. Six choline-deficient and four control diet rats were killed 2 h after each dose, and liver DNA isolated. In addition, hepatic DNA was isolated from animals 1, 2, 3, and 11 days after the last [3H]AFB1 administration. At all time points HPLC analysis of aflatoxin-DNA adducts was performed to confirm radiometric determinations of DNA binding levels. No significant quantitative differences in AFB1-DNA adduct formation between the dietary groups were observed following the first exposure to [3H]AFB1; however, total aflatoxin-DNA adduct levels in the choline-deficient animals were significantly increased during the multiple dose schedule. When total aflatoxin-DNA adduct levels were integrated over the 10 day dose period, a 41% increase in adduct burden was determined for the choline-deficient animals. While this increase in DNA damage is consistent with the hypothesis that DNA damage is related to tumor outcome, the biochemical basis for this effect still needs to be elucidated.     

Different mutation frequencies and spectra among organs by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in rpsL (strA) transgenic mice.

The frequencies and spectra of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced in vivo somatic mutations were determined in rpsL (strA) transgenic mice. The wild-type rpsL gene, which exhibits a streptomycin-sensitive (Sm(S)) phenotype, was used as the rescue marker gene. Studies of mutation spectra among different organs and tissues were simplified using this system because of the short coding sequence (375 bp) of the rpsL gene. MNU administration to transgenic mice significantly elevated the mutation frequencies in various adult organs. Two distinctive patterns of mutation spectrum were observed, depending on the organs tested. Mutations derived from labile organs (spleen and thymus) were predominantly G:C to A:T transitions, as expected for MNU mutagenesis. Stable organs like the liver and brain, however, carried many fewer G:C to A:T transitions but significantly more single base deletions, of which the spectrum was very similar to that of background mutations in the rpsL transgenic mice. This spectrum difference among more and less proliferating organs was confirmed by the predominant occurrence of G:C to A:T transitions in fetal liver cells exposed to transplacental MNU treatment. In addition, most (approximately 90%) of the G:C to A:T transitions induced by MNU were detected in the first nucleotide of some 5'-G-(C or G)-3' sequences, many of which corresponded to the middle guanine residue of 5'-purine-G-(C or G)-3' sequences. It is thus suggested that at particular sites, the neighboring bases in both the 5' side and 3' side seem to influence either the susceptibility to DNA damage or the ability to repair MNU-induced lesions.     

Effects of dietary and intraperitoneally administered beta-naphthoflavone on mutagenicity and tissue distribution of Trp-P-1 in the rat

The effect of dietary beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) on tissue retention of 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) was studied in the rat. Female rats, 3 weeks old, were fed a BNF-containing diet for 3 days before being dosed orally or i.v. with 14C-labelled Trp-P-1. The rats were killed at 4, 24 or 48 h after dosage and subjected to tape-section autoradiography. The tissue localization of Trp-P-1-derived radioactivity was compared to that observed in untreated rats and in rats given BNF i.p. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and mutagenicity of Trp-P-1 in the Ames test, using S9 prepared from forestomach, glandular stomach, small intestine, liver and lung, were used as in vitro assays to measure the degree of cytochrome P450IA1 and/or P450IA2 induction. Dietary BNF treatment caused a 30- to 40-fold increase in EROD activity in the small intestine, but only a 2-fold increase in the liver and the lung. These inter-organ differences were not observed after i.p. administration of BNF. The increase in mutagenicity of Trp-P-1 in the Ames test could be correlated to the increase in EROD activity. The autoradiographic data showed that the route of administration of BNF as well as of Trp-P-1 were important for the tissue localization of Trp-P-1. Dietary BNF treatment caused a pronounced retention of Trp-P-1-derived radioactivity in the epithelia of the small intestine, forestomach, oesophagus and the oral cavity, regardless of the administration route of Trp-P-1; a similar though less pronounced epithelial retention was observed after i.p. injection of BNF. A clear-cut boundary of accumulated radioactivity between the forestomach and the glandular stomach where the levels were almost non-detectable was observed in rats fed the BNF-containing diet. It is concluded that dietary inducers may be important determinants of metabolism and tissue distribution of toxic compounds.     

Hprt lymphocyte mutant frequency in relation to DNA adduct formation in rats fed the hepatocarcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene.

The lymphocyte hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Hprt) assay is frequently used as a biomarker for the exposure of both humans and laboratory animals to potentially carcinogenic agents. To obtain information concerning the sensitivity of the rat Hprt lymphocyte assay toward aromatic amine carcinogens, male F344 rats were fed 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for 1 month and then returned to control diet for 2 months. At 4, 27, 48, 62, and 90 days after the initiation of 2-AAF-feeding, the frequency of mutants in the Hprt gene was determined. In addition, DNA was isolated from liver nuclei, spleen lymphocytes, bone marrow, and thymus, and DNA adducts were analyzed by 32P-postlabeling. 2-AAF feeding resulted in a significant induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant T-lymphocytes and the mutant frequency continued to increase after the 2-AAF feeding was stopped. The same major DNA adduct, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene, was detected in liver, spleen lymphocytes, bone marrow, and thymus. DNA adduct levels were greatest in the tumor target tissue (liver) but occurred in all T-lymphocyte compartments, being highest in spleen lymphocytes. The DNA adduct levels were highest at the end of the 1-month 2-AAF feeding period and decreased rapidly in all tissues. The data indicate that the Hprt lymphocyte mutagenesis assay detects arylamine carcinogens, but with relatively low sensitivity.     

Dose-response relationships for the binding of benzo(a)pyrene metabolites to DNA and protein in lung, liver, and forestomach of control and butylated hydroxyanisole-treated mice

In this study, the formation of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) metabolite:DNA adducts in lung, liver, and forestomach of control and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)-treated (5 mg/g diet) female A/HeJ mice was examined as a function of BP dose (p.o.), ranging from 2 to 1351 mumol/kg. The major identified adduct in each tissue at each dose was the (+)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (BPDEI):deoxyguanosine adduct. A 7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 beta,10 beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene:deoxyguanosine adduct, a(-)-BPDEI:deoxyguanosine adduct, and an unidentified adduct were also observed. In lung and liver of untreated animals, the dose-response curves for BPDEI:DNA adduct levels were sigmoidal. In forestomach, there was no indication of saturation of DNA binding over the BP dose range examined. The dose-response curves became linear as BP dose approached zero and thus, no threshold dose existed below which binding of BPDEI to DNA did not occur, at least in lung, liver, and forestomach of these mice. In forestomach, the dose-response curve for BPDEI:DNA adducts in BHA-treated mice, 0.5% of diet for 2 weeks, was parallel to the curve for control animals and thus, the inhibition (45%) of adduct formation is independent of BP dose. In contrast, BHA treatment diminished the curvilinear nature of the dose-response curves for BPDE adducts in lung and liver. The inhibition of BPDEI:DNA adduct formation by BHA in lung and liver was dose dependent. The inhibition of lung (68%) and liver (82%) adduct formation was highest at a BP dose of 270 mumol/kg. As the BP dose approached zero, the inhibition of BPDEI:DNA adduct formation by BHA decreased with BP dose and approached values of approximately 40% (lung) and 55% (liver). The dose dependency of the binding of BP metabolites to protein was also examined. BPDEI:DNA adduct concentrations ranged from 2 to 10% of protein binding concentrations in liver of untreated animals, from 3 to 7% in forestomach, and from 5 to 7% in lung. The dose-response curves for protein binding of BP metabolites in lung and liver from BHA-treated animals were essentially parallel to those in control animals and thus, the inhibition of protein binding by BHA treatment had no dose dependency in these organs. No consistent BHA effect was observed on the amount of binding of BP metabolites to forestomach protein.     

DNA adducts formed by 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline in rat liver: dose-response on chronic administration

The effect of administration of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at various doses on DNA adduct formation in male rats was examined by 32P-postlabeling analysis. Administration of MeIQx in the diet at 0.4 ppm, 4 ppm, 40 ppm and 400 ppm for one week resulted in the formations of 0.04, 0.28, 3.34 and 39.0 adducts per 10(7) nucleotides in rat liver cells. Continuous administration of 400 ppm of MeIQx in the diet for 61 weeks to rats induced hepatocellular carcinomas in all rats. The carcinogenicity of MeIQx at doses of 40 ppm or less is not known yet, but the above results show a linear relationship between the level of MeIQx administered and the adduct level. In rats treated with low doses of 0.4, 4 and 40 ppm of MeIQx, adduct levels increased linearly with time of treatment, the levels in week 12 being two to three times those in week 1. In contrast, on treatment with 400 ppm of MeIQx, the adduct level in the liver increased until week 4, when it was 110 adducts per 10(7) nucleotides, and then remained constant for the next 8 weeks. Induction of the multidrug-resistance gene was suggested to be involved in development of this plateau level.     

3-Amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) inhibits the removal of both cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts from the DNA of ultraviolet-irradiated E. coli

Heterocyclic amines have been isolated from cooked foods andfound to be mutagens and carcinogens. Among them, 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 also found to enhance UV-induced mutation frequenciesin Escherichia coli at the concentrations where they were neithertoxic nor mutagenic by themselves. Using an immunological methodrecently developed to detect UV-induced DNA damage, we investigatedthe inhibitory effect of Trp-P-1 on the removal of both cyclobutanedimers and (6–4)photo-products from the DNA of UV-irradiatedE.coli. Cells repaired 60% of the initial cyclobutane dimerswithin 30 min and 75% at 120 min after UV-irradiation. Furthermore,the same cells repaired 90% of the initial (6–4)photoproductswithin 30 min. On the other hand, Trp-P-1 clearly showed inhibitionof repair of both photolesions in a concentration-dependentmanner. The levels of repair inhibition by Trp-P-1 were almostthe same between cyclobutane dimers and (6–4)photoproducts.These results suggested that the enhancing effect of Trp-P-1on UV-induced mutagenesis in E.coli stemmed from the inhibitionof the removal of photolesions from the DNA.     

Inhibitory effect of chlorophyll on the genotoxicity of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b indole (Trp-P-2)

Genotoxicity of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido [4,3-b indole(Trp-P-2)on Drosophila was suppressed by chlorophyll. Using the winghair spot test, we found that the formation of mutant hairsin adult files as a result of feeding them with Trp-P-2 in theirlarval stage was efficiently inhibited by coadininistrationof chlorophyll. The decrease in the spot frequencies was dependenton the dose of chlorophyll, and at the highest dose used, wherethe ratio in weight of Trp-P-2 to chlorophyll was 1:80, a completeprevention of the small single-spot formation was observed.A similar inhibitory effect was detected for chlorophyllin,the chromophore of chlorophyll. In the studies to investigatethe mechanism of inhibition, we observed that the mutagenicityof 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-[4,3-bpyrido [Trp-P-2(NHOH)],the metabolically activated form of Trp-P-2, in Salmonella typhimuriumTA98 was suppressed effectively with chlorophyll and chlorophyllin.We also found that chlorophyll and chlorophyllin can producecomplexes with Trp-P-2 and Trp-P-2(NHOH). A straightforwardmechanism of these inhibitions is that Trp-P-2 [and Trp-P-2(NHOH)]becomes no longer available to organisms on forming the chlorophyllcomplex.     

DNA Adducts Formed by 2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline in Rat Liver: Dose-Response on Chronic Administration

The effect of administration of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5- f ]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at various doses on DNA adduct formation in male rats was examined by ³²P-postlabeling analysis. Administration of MeIQx in the diet at 0.4 ppm, 4 ppm, 40 ppm and 400 ppm for one week resulted in the formations of 0.04, 0.28, 3.34 and 39.0 adducts per 10⁷ nucleotides in rat liver cells. Continuous administration of 400 ppm of MeIQx in the diet for 61 weeks to rats induced hepatocellular carcinomas in all rats. The carcinogenicity of MeIQx at doses of 40 ppm or less is not known yet, but the above results show a linear relationship between the level of MeIQx administered and the adduct level. In rats treated with low doses of 0.4, 4 and 40 ppm of MeIQx, adduct levels increased linearly with time of treatment, the levels in week 12 being two to three times those in week 1. In contrast, on treatment with 400 ppm of MeIQx, the adduct level in the liver increased until week 4, when it was 110 adducts per 10⁷ nucleotides, and then remained constant for the next 8 weeks. Induction of the multidrug-resistance gene was suggested to be involved in development of this plateau level.     

Formation and Removal of DNA Adducts in the Liver of Rats Chronically Fed the Food-borne Carcinogen, 2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline

Effects of chronic administration of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5- f ]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at 0.4, 8 and 400 ppm in the diet on DNA adduct formation and removal in the rat liver were examined by the ³²P-postlabeling method. The 0.4 and 8 ppm doses for 40 weeks resulted in time-dependent increases in MeIQx-DNA adduct levels until 16 and 8 weeks, respectively, with constant values being maintained thereafter. In the case of a carcinogenic dose (400 ppm) of MeIQx, the adduct levels reached a maximum at week 12, and then gradually decreased. Alteration of metabolism of MeIQx during liver carcinogenesis might be related to this decrease in DNA adduct levels. When MeIQx administration was stopped at week 20, 60–90% of the MeIQx-DNA adducts formed with the three doses (0.4, 8 and 400 ppm) of MeIQx were removed in a biphasic manner after return to a basal diet, with initial rapid removal followed by a slow change. No difference in the pattern of MeIQx-DNA adducts was detected on thin layer chromatography at any dose at any time point. Thus, it is suggested that there may be at least two types of damaged DNA, susceptible and resistant to removal of MeIQx-DNA adducts, after chronic administration of MeIQx.     

Effects of sucrose and cornstarch on 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ)-induced colon and liver carcinogenesis in F344 rats

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of sucrose and cornstarch on colon and liver carcinogenesis induced by 0.02% of the food-borne carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) in the feed. Male F344 rats were allocated to four groups. Two groups were fed diets high in either cornstarch (68%) or sucrose (34% sucrose/34% cornstarch) and were initiated with IQ. The remaining two groups received the same two diets but did not receive any IQ. In both liver and colon, administration of IQ resulted in a higher level of DNA adducts. In animals not dosed with IQ, sucrose increased the adduct level in both organs but to a lower level than IQ. However, simultaneous administration of IQ and sucrose did not further increase the adduct level. Both IQ and sucrose increased the expression of the DNA-repair enzyme ERCC1 in the liver. In the colon, the number of large and medium aberrant crypt foci (ACF) of the group fed IQ and cornstarch was significantly higher than that in the other groups. There was no statistically significant difference in any tumour incidence in IQ dosed-animals fed either cornstarch or sucrose. In conclusion, no difference in effect on liver carcinogenesis was seen between sucrose and cornstarch-based diets, however, the number of tumours per animal tended to be slightly higher in the rats fed cornstarch (P = 0.08). Cornstarch enhanced ACF development induced by IQ when compared to sucrose whereas due to a low intestinal tumour incidence no correlation to diet and tumour incidence could be established.     

Modulation of aflatoxin metabolism, aflatoxin-N7-guanine formation, and hepatic tumorigenesis in rats fed ethoxyquin: role of induction of glutathione S-transferases

The effects of dietary administration of ethoxyquin (EQ) on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolism, DNA adduct formation and removal, and hepatic tumorigenesis were examined in male Fischer rats. Rats were fed a semipurified diet containing 0.4% EQ for 1 wk, gavaged with 250 micrograms of AFB1 per kg 5 times a wk during the next 2 wk, and, finally, restored to the control diet 1 wk after cessation of dosing. At 4 mo, focal areas of hepatocellular alteration were identified and quantitated by staining sections of liver for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Treatment with EQ reduced by greater than 95% both area and volume of liver occupied by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive foci. Utilizing the same multiple dosing protocol, patterns of covalent modifications of DNA by AFB1 were determined. EQ produced a dramatic reduction in the binding of AFB1 to hepatic DNA: 18-fold initially and 3-fold at the end of the dosing period. Although binding was detectable at 3 and 4 mo postdosing, no effect of EQ was observed, suggesting that these persistent adducts are not of primary relevance to AFB1 carcinogenesis. Analysis of nucleic acid bases by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed no qualitative differences in adduct species between treatment groups. The inhibitory effect of EQ on AFB1 binding to DNA and tumorigenesis appears related to induction of detoxication enzymes. Rats fed 0.4% EQ for 7 days showed a 5-fold increase in hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST)-specific activities. Multiple molecular forms of GST were induced, and concomitant elevations in messenger RNA levels coding for the synthesis of GST subunits were observed. Correspondingly, biliary elimination of AFB1-glutathione conjugate was increased 4.5-fold in animals on the EQ diet during the first 2 h following p.o. administration of 250 micrograms of AFB1 per kg. Thus, induction by EQ of enzymes important to AFB1 detoxication, such as GST, can lead to enhanced carcinogen elimination, as well as reductions of AFB1-DNA adduct formation and subsequent expression of preneoplastic lesions, and, ultimately, neoplasia.     

In vivo mutagenicity and hepatocarcinogenicity of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) in bitransgenic c-myc/lambda lacZ mice.

2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amine found in cooked meat. Hepatic DNA adduct formation, in vivo mutagenicity, and hepatocarcinogenicity of MeIQx were examined in mice harboring the lacZ mutation reporter gene (Muta mice) and bitransgenic mice overexpressing the c-myc oncogene. C57Bl/lambda lacZ and bitransgenic c-myc (albumin promoter)/lambda lacZ mice were bred and weaned onto an American Institute of Nutrition-76-based diet containing 0.06% (w/w) MeIQx or onto control diet. After 30 weeks on diet, only male bitransgenic mice on MeIQx developed hepatocellular carcinoma (100% incidence). By 40 weeks, hepatic tumor incidence was 100%/75% (17%/0%) and 44%/17% (0%/0%) in male c-myc/lambda lacZ and C57Bl/lambda lacZ mice who were given MeIQx (or control) diet, respectively, supporting a synergism between MeIQx and c-myc overexpression in hepatocarcinogenesis. At either time point, mutant frequency in the lacZ gene was at least 40-fold higher in MeIQx-treated mice than in control mice of either strain. These findings suggest that MeIQx-induced hepatocarcinogenesis is associated with MeIQx-induced mutations. Elevated mutant frequency in MeIQx-treated mice also occurred concomitant with the formation of MeIQx-guanine adducts, as detected by the 32P-postlabeling assay. Irrespective of strain or diet, sequence analysis of the lacZ mutants from male mouse liver showed that the principal sequence alterations were base substitutions at guanine bases. Adenine mutations, however, were detected only in animals on control diet. MeIQx-fed mice harboring the c-myc oncogene showed a 1.4-2.6-fold higher mutant frequency in the lacZ gene than mice not carrying the transgene. Although there was a trend toward higher adduct levels in c-myc mice, MeIQx-DNA adduct levels were not significantly different between c-myc/lambda lacZ and C57Bl/lambda lacZ mice after 30 weeks on diet. Thus, it seemed that factors in addition to MeIQx-DNA adduct levels, such as the enhanced rate of proliferation associated with c-myc overexpression, may have accounted for a higher mutant frequency in c-myc mice. In the control diet groups, the lacZ mutant frequency was significantly higher in c-myc/lambda lacZ mice than in C57Bl/lambda lacZ mice. The findings are consistent with the notion that c-myc overexpression is associated with an increase in mutagenesis. The mechanism for the synergistic effects of c-myc overexpression on MeIQx hepatocarcinogenicity seems to involve an enhanced expression of MeIQx-induced mutations.     

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) triggers apoptosis by DNA double-strand breaks caused by inhibition of topoisomerase I

3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) is one of the dietary carcinogens. At the initial step in the carcinogenic process, its exocyclic amino group is metabolically activated to the hydroxyamino derivative by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A and 1B subfamily and then form DNA adducts, which are considered to be the main cause of DNA damage during the carcinogenic process. On the other hand, our previous study has shown that Trp-P-1 exhibits cytotoxicity to primary cultured rat hepatocytes, via induction of caspase-9-dependent apoptosis without being metabolized by CYP 1A1. In the present study, we investigated what type of DNA damage would be involved in the induction of apoptosis induced by Trp-P-1. When RL-34 cells derived from normal rat liver were treated with a high (30 microM) concentration of Trp-P-1, apoptotic events such as the loss of cell viability, nuclear condensation and the activation of caspase-3 were observed. In these apoptotic cells, intracellular topoisomerase I activity was inhibited and histone H2AX phosphorylation, which occurs after introduction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), was observed in the early phase of the apoptosis. On the other hand, treatment with a non-apoptotic concentration (1 microM) of Trp-P-1 increased the formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. The formation of DNA adducts was detected at almost the same level in both cells exposed to the apoptotic and non-apoptotic concentrations of Trp-P-1. These results indicate that Trp-P-1-induced apoptosis was triggered by DNA DSBs through the inhibition of topoisomerase I but not the formation of DNA adducts.     

Formation and persistence of a DNA adduct in rodents treated with N-nitrosopyrrolidine

The rate of formation and the persistence of an exocyclic guanine adduct formed in DNA of rodents treated with various doses of N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) have been determined. NPYR is hepatocarcinogenic to the rat and forms a covalent adduct in liver DNA; this adduct was recently identified as 2-amino-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-9-hydroxypyrido[2, 1-f]purine-4[3H]-one. Dose-dependent amounts of adduct formed in liver, kidney and lung DNA of rats, hamsters and mice given oral doses (56-900 mg/kg body wt) of NPYR. The persistence of the adduct in DNA after administration of low doses of NPYR to rats was greatest in the target organ, i.e. the liver; at high doses of NPYR, adduct levels in DNA changed little over a period of at least 72 h. In the hamster, in which NPYR is carcinogenic to the lung but apparently not the liver, the adduct level in liver DNA was an order of magnitude greater than in lung or kidney DNA for a dose of NPYR of 225 or 900 mg/kg body wt; persistence of the adduct in lung DNA was only slightly longer than in liver DNA. The formation and persistence of the 7,8-pyridoguanine adduct in the rat appeared to be consistent with the organotropy of this carcinogen, but this was not true for the hamster, a species that seems to be more resistant to induction of liver and kidney cancer by this carcinogen. Imidazole, an inhibitor of microsomal amine oxidase, and disulfiram, an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase, decreased metabolic activation of NPYR to an alkylating intermediate; inducers and inhibitors of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases had little effect on the metabolic activation of NPYR to an alkylating agent.     

32P-postlabeling analysis of DNA adducts in rats during estrogen-induced hepatocarcinogenesis and effect of tamoxifen on DNA adduct level.

DNA adduct formation in the liver, pancreas, kidneys and uterus in ethynylestradiol (EE)-induced carcinogenesis and the effect of tamoxifen (TAM) on DNA adduct formation were evaluated in female Wistar JCL rats using the 32P-postlabeling method. Hyperplastic nodules were noted in the liver of all rats 4 months after the first oral administration of 0.075 mg of EE, and hepatocellular carcinoma was detected in 8.1% of rats treated with EE for 12 months. DNA adducts increased in the liver for 4 months, reaching a level of 7.3 adducts/10(7) nucleotides and decreasing thereafter. Formation of DNA adducts was also noted in the pancreas and kidney, but the adduct levels were lower than those in the liver. TAM inhibited estrogen receptors (ER) in liver tissues and completely suppressed the development of hyperplastic nodules or hepatocellular carcinoma but did not affect DNA adduct formation in the liver. In this model, therefore, EE is considered to cause mutations of hepatocytes due to DNA adduct formation without mediation by ER and to induce initiated cells to develop into hepatocellular carcinoma in the presence of ER-mediated hormonal activities.     

DNA adduct formation, removal and persistance in rat liver during one month of feeding 2-acetylaminofluorene

Male Wistar-Furth rats were fed 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene(AAF) for 3 days or 0.02% AAF for 25 days followed by 0.02%[ring-³H]AAF for an additional 3 days. The concentration ofhepatic DNA adducts was then monitored by both radioimmunoassayand radiolabeling during 28 days of control diet. This approachallowed comparisons to be made of adduct accumulation, removaland persistence at both the beginning and end of a four weekcarcinogen feeding period. DNA adduct formation remained constantduring the month of AAF administration with an accumulationrate of 157 fmol adduct/µg DNA during days 1–3 anddays 25–28 of the experiment. Furthermore, the rate ofremoval of adducts formed during these three day periods wassimilar when both groups were fed control diets for 28 additionaldays. Continued AAF administration resulted in a slow accumulationof persistent adducts; thus, 91±6% of the adducts detectedafter 3 days of AAF feeding were removed during a subsequentmonth of control diet, while only 65±11% of the adductsdetected after 28 days of AAF diet were removed when rats werefed control diet for an additional 28 days. In a second experiment,the removal of adducts was compared in animals fed control orAAF diet after previously being fed 0.02% AAF for 17 days. Similarremoval curves were observed in both groups; therefore, continuedingestion of AAF did not affect the rate of adduct removal.In both experiments, biphasic repair curves were observed. Thesedata were used to develop a pharmacokinetic model. Two genomicregions were postulated, an area susceptible to fast repairand a region more resistant to the removal of AAF adducts. Atequilibrium, which was reached after 2–3 weeks of AAFfeeding, the concentration of adducts in each region was similarwith {small tilde}150 fmol adduct/µg DNA. Although thetotal number of adducts formed in the fast repair region duringone month of AAF administration was five times greater thanin the resistant region, the model predicted that the adductslocalized in regions resistant to repair were the persistentadducts detected after one month of control diet. Overall, theremoval of adducts formed during chronic AAF feeding was veryefficient since >93% of the adducts were removed by the endof a subsequent month of control diet.