2-Aminofluorene metabolism and DNA adduct formation by mononuclear leukocytes from rapid and slow acetylator mouse strains

Following exposure of mice to the arylamine carcinogen 2-aminofluorene,DNA-carcinogen adducts can be found in the target tissues liverand bladder, and also in circulating leukocytes. Evidence ispresented here that mouse mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) are capableof metabolizing 2-aminofluorene to DNA-binding metabolites whichgive rise to the adducts found in the MNL. Both lymphocytesand monocytes were able to acetylate arylamines during 18 hof culture. The degree of acetytation was determined by theN-acetyltransferase genotype of the mice as shown through useof acetylator congenic strains which differ only in the Nat-2gene. Cultured MNL from rapid acetylator mice (C57BL/6J andA.B6-Nat¹) produced about twice as much N-acetylaminofluorenefrom 2-aminofluorene and 6- to 8-fold as much N-acetyl-p-amino-benzoicacid from p-aminobenzoic acid as cells from slow acetylatormice (B6.A-Nat⁵ and A/J). Other differences in arylamine metabolismby MNL in culture were observed and shown to be due to geneticfactors, currently unidentified, other than N-acetyltransferase.DNA adduct formation following incubation of MNL with the arylaminecarcinogen 2-aminofluorene was related to both acetylation capacityand to other genetic metabolic factors in the mouse genome.MNL from rapid acetylator mice with the C57BL/6J background(B6) had 3-fold the DNA adduct levels of cells from the correspondingslow acetylator congenic (B6.A-Nat^$). Similarly, MNL from rapidacetylator mice with the A/J background (A.B6-Nat^r) had twicethe DNA adduct levels of those from their corresponding slowcongenic (A). Adduct levels in MNL from C57BL/6J were nearlythe same as those of MNL from A/J, again indicating the involvementof loci other than acetylation in DNA adduct formation. Thefinding of genetically dependent arylamine carcinogen metabolismand DNA adduct formation in cultured MNL suggests the possibilityof using cultured MNL for assessing individual susceptibilityto arylamine-induced DNA damage.     

2-Aminofluorene-DNA adduct formation in acetylator congenic mouse lines

The effect of the acetylator polymorphism on hepatic 2-aminofluorene-DNAadduct formation in mice was studied using two recent developmentsfrom our laboratory. Acetylator congenic mouse lines differingfrom their parental inbred lines in N-acetyltransferase activitywere used to separate the effect of the N-acetyltransferasepolymorphism from effects of differences in other geneticallypolymorphic enzymes. DNA adduct formation was used as an indicatorof arylamine induced DNA damage. Adduct formation was measuredby HPLC analysis of 3 nucleotides from hepatic DNA of treatedanimals. At a high dose (60 mg/kg) of 2-aminofluorene for a3 h exposure, rapid acetylator mice (C57BL/6J) accumulated twicethe adducts of slow acetylators (A/J). In acetylator congenicmice this difference increased so that rapid acetylators withthe slow background (A.B6-Nat¹) had 5- to 7-times the DNA damageof the slow acetylator congenic with the rapid background (B6.A-Nat⁵).It was also found that within each mouse line examined, femaleshad higher levels of adduct formation than males. Acetylatorcongenic mouse lines were useful in distinguishing the effectof acetylator genes from the total genetic background. Similarly,congenics were useful in demonstrating the contribution thatenzymes other than N-acetyltransferase make to differences inadduct formation in inbred mouse lines.     

Tissue distribution of N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 catalyzing the N-acetylation of 4-aminobiphenyl and O-acetylation of N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl in the congenic rapid and slow acetylator Syrian hamster

N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and 2 (NAT2) enzymes catalyzing both deactivation (N-acetylation) and activation (O-acetylation) of arylamine carcinogens such as 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) were investigated in a Syrian hamster model congenic at the NAT2 locus. NAT2 catalytic activities (measured with p-aminobenzoic acid) were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in rapid than slow acetylators in all tissues (except heart and prostate where activity was undetectable in slow acetylators). NAT1 catalytic activities (measured with sulfamethazine) were low but detectable in most tissues tested and did not differ significantly between rapid and slow acetylators. ABP N-acetyltransferase activity was detected in all tissues of rapid acetylators but was below the limit of detection in all tissues of slow acetylators except liver where it was about 15-fold lower than rapid acetylators. ABP N-acetyltransferase activities correlated with NAT2 activities (r2 = 0.871; P < 0.0001) but not with NAT1 activities (r2 = 0.132; P > 0.05). Levels of N-hydroxy-ABP O-acetyltransferase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in rapid than slow acetylator cytosols for many but not all tissues. The N-hydroxy-ABP O-acetyltransferase activities correlated with ABP N-acetyltransferase activities (r2 = 0.695; P < 0.0001) and NAT2 activities (r2 = 0.521, P < 0.0001) but not with NAT1 activities (r2 = 0.115; P > 0.05). The results suggest widespread tissue distribution of both NAT1 and NAT2, which catalyzes both N- and O-acetylation. These conclusions are important for interpretation of molecular epidemiological investigations into the role of N-acetyltransferase polymorphisms in various diseases including cancer.     

DNA adduct formation and tumorigenesis in mice during the chronic administration of 4-aminobiphenyl at multiple dose levels

Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of DNA adductsfrom 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) in the bladder cells of humans;however, the correlation between the concentration of theseadducts and the tumorigenic response is not clear. To help elucidatethis relationship, we have investigated DNA adduct formationin experimental animals continuously administered 4-ABP. Maleand female BALB/c mice were treated for 28 days with 4-ABP hydro-chloridein their drinking water. DNA adducts in target tissues (liverof females and bladder of males) were identified and quantifiedby ³²P-postlabeling analyses and radio-immunoassays. These resultswere compared to previously reported tumor incidences obtainedfrom the lifetime administration of 4-ABP hydrochloride. Themajor adduct observed in both tissues was N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-ABP.In the bladders of both sexes and the livers of female mice,adduct levels increased with dose at low doses, but saturationwas observed at high doses. In the livers of males, the adductlevels were linearly correlated with dose throughout the entiredose range. A comparison between DNA adducts and tumorigenesisindicated a linear correlation between adduct levels and theincidence of liver tumors in female mice. In the bladders ofmale mice, however, the relationship was markedly nonlinear.These data suggest that adduct formation alone is insufficientfor tumorigenesis in the bladder and that other factors suchas cell proliferation are necessary for tumor production.     

Detection of deoxyadenosine-4-aminobiphenyl adduct in DNA of human uroepithelial cells treated with N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl following nuclease P1 enrichment and 32P-postlabeling analysis

To characterize the DNA adducts in human uroepithelial cells(HUC) exposed to 4-aminobiphenyl and its proximate N-hydroxymetabolites, we used ³²P-analyses following butanol extractionof the DNA hydrolysates. Using this method, we identified N-(deoxyguanosin-3',5'-bisphospho-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (pdGp-ABP) as a major adductand N-(deoxyguanosin-3', 5'-bisphospho-8-yl)-4- aminobiphenyl(pdAp-ABP) as a minor adduct in an immortalized non-tumorigeniccell line of HUC following exposure to N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl(N-OH-ABP). Towards characterization of pdAp-ABP, we postlabeledthe synthetic N-(deoxyguanosin-3', 5'-bisphospho-8-yl)-4-aminobi-phenyl (dAp-ABP) adduct to generate pdAp-ABP and determinedits chromatographic (TLC and HPLC) proper ties and sensitivityto nuclease P1 digestion. In contrast to pdGp-ABP, which wascleaved to the corresponding 5' monophosphate by nuclease P1,the pdAp-ABP adduct was unaffected when incubated with nucleaseP1 under similar conditions. To test whether nuclease P1 digestioncould be adopted for enrichment of the dAp-ABP adduct in HUCsamples, postlabeling analyses were carried out after but anolextraction following nuclease P1 digestion of the DNA hydrolysate.Under these conditions, the pdAp-ABP adduct was detected inDNA from HUC E7 cells treated with N OH-ABP and in calf thymusDNA reacted with N-OH ABP under acidic (pH 5.0) conditions.These data indicate that pdGp-ABP and pdAp-ABP adducts are generatedin HUC E7 on treatment with N-OH-ABP and that nuclease P1 enrichmentmay provide a method for qualitative and quantitative analysesof the pdAp-ABP adduct in DNA.     

Kinetics of arylamine N-acetyltransferase in tissues from rapid and slow acetylator mice

Kinetic parameters for arylamine N-acetyltransferase activityin liver, blood, and bladder from C57BL/6J and A/J mouse strainswere determined using an improved assay system, and some deviationswere found from previously reported results. In the presentstudies, blood N-acetyltransferase activity with p-aminobenzoicacid and 2-aminofluorene as substrates was 20-and 10-fold greater,respectively, in C57BL/6J than in A/J mice. Urinary bladderpossessed N-acetyltransferase activity for both 2-aminofluoreneand p-aminobenzoic acid which differed 2-fold, and reflectedthe liver and blood phenotype. An apparent K_m difference for2-aminofluorene was observed between C57BL/6J and A/J liverN-acetyltransferase. Contrary to earlier studies, the liverN-acetyltransferase activity differed 3-fold between the A/Jand C57BL/6J mouse strains, with either p-aminobenzoic acidor 2-amino-fluorene as substrates. Dimethylsulfoxide at concentrationsused in the 2-aminofluorene acetylation assay in earlier studies,inhibited the A/J liver N-acetylfransferase to a greater extentthan the C57BL/6J enzyme, which may have con tributed to thelarger difference in liver NAT activity with 2-aminofluorenereported previously.     

Distribution of acetyltransferase activities in the intestines of rapid and slow acetylator rabbits

Epidemiological studies have shown that there is a significantly greater proportion of the rapid acetylator phenotype in patients with colorectal tumors than in controls; phenotype-related differences in bioactivation of dietary or environmental amines in the intestinal epithelium have been suggested as a mechanism for this effect. In the present study, we have used hepatic and intestinal cytosols to compare N-acetyltransferase (NAT1 and NAT2), O-acetyltransferase (OAT) and arylhydroxamic acid N,O-acyltransferase (AHAT) distribution in rapid and slow acetylator rabbits. The ratio (rapid/slow) for p-aminobenzoic acid acetylation (a selective substrate for NAT1) was 6 in liver, 1.7-2 in small intestine and 1.3-1.5 in large intestine while the ratio of sulfamethazine acetylation (a selective substrate for NAT2) was 150 in liver, 16-22 in small intestine and 1.8-2.5 in large intestine. The ratios (rapid/slow) for DNA binding of N-hydroxy-3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl and N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl (primarily substrates for OAT) were 82-84 in liver, 13-20 in small intestine and 3.8-5.3 in large intestine and for DNA binding of N-hydroxy-2-acetylamidofluorene (a substrate for AHAT), the ratio was 432 in liver, 32-161 in small intestine and 8.8-13.5 in large intestine. The data show also that NAT1 activity is uniformly distributed along the intestinal tract whereas NAT2 activity is highest in the small intestine. In addition, hepatic and intestinal OAT and AHAT but not NAT1 activities in the rabbit intestine are similarly distributed to activities for NAT2, suggesting that NAT2, OAT and AHAT activities are properties of a single protein in the rapid acetylator phenotype. Moreover, OAT and AHAT activities were much higher in tissues from the rapid than the slow phenotype. The data support the hypothesis that phenotype-dependent metabolic activation of N-OH heterocyclic or aromatic amines to reactive acetoxy metabolites may be involved in the etiology of colorectal cancer.     

2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoxaline-induced DNA adduct formation and mutagenesis in DNA repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human cytochrome P4501A1 and rapid or slow acetylator N-acetyltransferase 2.

2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) is one of the most potent and abundant mutagens in the western diet. Bioactivation includes N-hydroxylation catalyzed by cytochrome P450s followed by O-acetylation catalyzed by N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2). In humans, NAT2*4 allele is associated with rapid acetylator phenotype, whereas NAT2*5B allele is associated with slow acetylator phenotype. We hypothesized that rapid acetylator phenotype predisposes humans to DNA damage and mutagenesis from MeIQx. Nucleotide excision repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells were constructed by stable transfection of human cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and a single copy of either NAT2*4 (rapid acetylator) or NAT2*5B (slow acetylator) alleles. CYP1A1 and NAT2 catalytic activities were undetectable in untransfected Chinese hamster ovary cell lines. CYP1A1 activity did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among the CYP1A1-transfected cell lines. Cells transfected with NAT2*4 had 20-fold significantly higher levels of sulfamethazine N-acetyltransferase (P = 0.0001) and 6-fold higher levels of N-hydroxy-MeIQx O-acetyltransferase (P = 0.0093) catalytic activity than cells transfected with NAT2*5B. Only cells transfected with both CYP1A1 and NAT2*4 showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase mutagenesis following MeIQx treatment. Deoxyguanosine-C8-MeIQx was the primary DNA adduct formed and levels were dose dependent in each cell line and in the following order: untransfected < transfected with CYP1A1 < transfected with CYP1A1 and NAT2*5B < transfected with CYP1A1 and NAT2*4. MeIQx DNA adduct levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in CYP1A1/NAT2*4 than CYP1A1/NAT2*5B cells at all concentrations of MeIQx tested. MeIQx-induced DNA adduct levels correlated very highly (r2 = 0.88) with MeIQx-induced mutants. These results strongly support extrahepatic activation of MeIQx by CYP1A1 and a robust effect of human NAT2 genetic polymorphism on MeIQx-induced DNA adducts and mutagenesis. The results provide laboratory-based support for epidemiologic studies reporting higher frequency of heterocyclic amine-related cancers in rapid NAT2 acetylators.     

Frequency of urination and its effects on metabolism, pharmacokinetics, blood hemoglobin adduct formation, and liver and urinary bladder DNA adduct levels in beagle dogs given the carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl

The human urinary bladder carcinogen, 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), is known to undergo hepatic metabolism to an N-hydroxy arylamine and its corresponding N-glucuronide. It has been proposed that these metabolites are both transported through the blood via renal filtration to the urinary bladder lumen where acidic pH can facilitate the hydrolysis of the N-glucuronide and enhance the conversion of N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl (N-OH-ABP) to a reactive electrophile that will form covalent adducts with urothelial DNA. Blood ABP-hemoglobin adducts, which have been used to monitor human exposure to ABP, are believed to be formed by reactions within the erythrocyte involving N-OH-ABP that has entered the circulation from the liver or from reabsorption across the urothelium. To test these hypotheses directly, experimental data were obtained from female beagles given [3H]ABP (p.o., i.v., or intraurethrally). [3H]N-OH-ABP (i.v. or intraurethrally), or [3H]N-OH-ABP N-glucuronide (i.v.). Analyses included determinations of total ABP in whole blood and plasma, ABP-hemoglobin adducts in blood erythrocytes, ABP and N-OH-ABP levels (free and N-glucuronide) in urine, urine pH, frequency of urination (controlled by urethral catheter), rates of reabsorption of ABP and N-OH-ABP across the urothelium, and apparent volumes of distribution in the blood/tissue compartment. The major ABP-DNA adduct, N-(guan-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl, was also measured in urothelial and liver DNA using a sensitive immunochemical method. An analog/digital hybrid computer was then utilized to construct a multicompartmental pharmacokinetic model for ABP and its metabolites that separates: (a) absorption; (b) hepatic metabolism and distribution in blood and tissues; (c) ABP-hemoglobin adduct formation; (d) hydrolysis and reabsorption in the urinary bladder lumen; and (e) excretion. Using this model, cumulative exposure of the urothelium to free N-OH-ABP was simulated from the experimental data and used to predict ABP-DNA adduct formation in the urothelium. The results indicated that exposure to N-OH-ABP and subsequent ABP-DNA adduct formation are directly dependent on voiding frequency and to a lesser extent on urine pH. This was primarily due to the finding that, after p.o. dosing of ABP to dogs, the major portion of the total N-OH-ABP entering the bladder lumen was free N-OH-ABP (0.7% of the dose), with much lower amounts as the acid-labile N-glucuronide (0.3% of the dose).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

In vivo dosimetry of 4-aminobiphenyl in rats via a cysteine adduct in hemoglobin

The feasibility of monitoring doses of 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) via adduction to hemoglobin was investigated. Rats dosed with ABP (from 0.5 micrograms/kg to 5 mg/kg) formed a stable covalent hemoglobin:ABP adduct. Approximately 5% of a single dose was bound as hemoglobin:ABP; chronic dosing led to an accumulation of the adduct to a level 30 times greater than that found after a single dose. Facile in vitro hydrolysis of the adduct regenerated ABP, allowing detection at the sub-ng level. Human hemoglobin was also readily adducted, using N-hydroxy-ABP in vitro. The predominant site of adduction appeared to be the cysteine residue in hemoglobin. The use of such adducts as dosimeters for arylamine exposures in humans is discussed.     

Glutathione and glutathione transferase levels in mouse granulocytes following cyclophosphamide administration

Following an initial depletion, glutathione and glutathione transferase levels are transiently increased in mouse bone marrow following the administration of a low dose of cyclophosphamide. Similar effects are observed on subsequent administration of the drug. The separation of various bone marrow populations on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter has shown that increase in glutathione and glutathione transferase levels are restricted to the granulocytic fraction. This may well provide an explanation for the protective effect of a low 'priming' dose of cyclophosphamide against a subsequent lethal dose. The changes in granulocytic glutathione and glutathione transferase levels can also be monitored in the peripheral circulation. The enhanced levels of glutathione in cells resulting from cytotoxic insult appear to be a general response of cells to cytotoxins and may be important in both antitumor therapy as well as the initiation of chemical toxicity and carcinogenicity.     

Identification of the major serum albumin adduct formed by 4-aminobiphenyl in vivo in rats

Serum albumin was isolated from rats at 27 h after administration of the carcinogen [2,2'-3H]-4-aminobiphenyl. Pronase digestion of the purified albumin yielded a mixture of radiolabeled materials which was resolved into 5 major components by reverse-phase liquid chromatography. From detailed UV, 1H-NMR, and mass spectral analyses, four of these were determined to be 4-aminobiphenyl, 4'-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl, and two other metabolites, all of which are presumed to be non-covalently associated with the serum albumin. The fifth component, however, resulted from covalent bond formation and was identified as a tetrapeptide containing 3-tryptophanyl-4-acetylaminobiphenyl, the amino acid sequence of which was H2N-ala-trp-ala-val. Since rat serum albumin contains only a single tryptophan residue in a hydrophobic drug binding site, its high selectivity for carcinogen binding suggests a unique role for this protein in the detoxification and/or transport of ultimate carcinogenic metabolites.     

DNA adduct formation and removal in specific liver cell populations during chronic dietary administration of 2-acetylaminofluorene

The concentration of DNA adducts in specific hepatic cell typeshas been determined in F344 rats fed 0.02% 2-acetyl-aminofluorene(AAF) for 28 days followed by control diet for an additional28 days. In animals killed at 28 days of AAF feeding, the majorDNA adduct, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene, was presentin each cell type in the order: hepatocytes (282? 28 fmol/µgDNA) > whole liver (232 ? 33 fmol/µg DNA) > nonparenchymalcells (128 ? 30 fmol/µg DNA) > bile duct fraction (60?12 fmol/µg DNA). After an additional 28 days on controldiet, the adduct level in each cell fraction was 30–40fmol/µg DNA. Adduct removal was biphasic in whole liver,hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells, with a fast phase apparentuntil the adduct concentration reached 60 fmol/µg DNA.In whole liver and hepatocytes this level was obtained in approximatelyseven days, and in nonparenchymal cells the fast phase was completein about two days. Adduct removal in the bile duct fractionexhibited only a single slow phase. At the end of the AAF feeding,hepatocytes accounted for 86% of the total liver DNA adducts.After an additional 28 days on control diet, hepatocyte adductsstill contributed a major fraction (67%) of the total persistentadduct population. Thus, hepatocytes, the target cell for AAF-inducedhepatic tumors, dominate the adduct formation and removal profileobserved in whole liver.     

DNA adduct formation in liver following the administration of [3H]2-nitrofluorene to rats in vivo.

The formation of RNA and DNA adducts by the environmental pollutant 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF) has been investigated in rat liver in vivo. The adduct pattern was studied after trifluoroacetic acid hydrolysis of DNA or RNA, followed by analysis of the adducts by HPLC. This was also done by enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA, followed by 32P-postlabeling. Both after oral and i.v. administration of [3H]2-NF, one major adduct was found. This adduct did not co-migrate with one of the known adducts of 2-(acetyl)-aminofluorene, N-deoxyguanosin-8-yl-2-aminofluorene (dG-C8-AF), which could have been formed after nitroreduction of 2-NF. 32P-Postlabeling revealed that two minor adducts were also formed, one of which was dG-C8-AF. The observation that the major adduct was also formed after i.v. administration of 2-NF to bile duct-catheterized rats makes a role for the intestinal microflora in the formation of this adduct very unlikely. In vitro experiments with inhibitors of the enzyme epoxide hydrolase indicated that epoxidation of 2-NF may play a role in the microsomal bioactivation of this compound.     

Effect of arsenic on benzo[a]pyrene DNA adduct levels in mouse skin and lung

Concomitant exposures to arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are widespread. While BaPacts by binding to and inducing mutations in critical siteson DNA, the mechanism(s) of arsenic carcinogenesis remains unknown.Data from epidemiological studies of arsenic copper smelterworkers and arsenic ingestion in drinking water suggest a positiveinteraction for arsenic exposure and smoking and lung cancer.A previous in vitro study showed that arsenic potentiated theformation of DNA adducts at low doses of BaP and arsenic. Thepresent study was conducted to test the effect of arsenic onBaP–DNA adduct formation in vivo. We hypothesized thatarsenic co-treatment would significantly increase BaP adductlevels in C57BL/6 mouse target organs: skin and lung. Treatmentgroups were: five mice, -BaP/-arsenic; five mice, -BaP/+arsenic;15 mice, +BaP/-arsenic; 15 mice, +BaP/+arsenic. Mice in theappropriate groups were provided sodium arsenite in drinkingwater (2.1 mg/l), ad libitum, for 13 days (starting 9 days beforeBaP treatment), and 200 nmol BaP/25 ml acetone (or acetone alone)was applied topically, once per day for 4 days. DNA was extractedfrom skin and lung and assayed by ³²P-postlabeling. Statisticalcomparisons were made using independent t-tests (unequal variancesassumed). BaP–DNA adduct levels in the +BaP groups weresignificantly higher than -BaP controls. Arsenic co-treatmentincreased average BaP adduct levels in both lung and skin; theincrease was statistically significant in the lung (P = 0.038).BaP adduct levels in the skin of individual animals were positivelyrelated to skin arsenic concentrations. These results corroborateour in vitro findings and provide a tentative explanation forarsenic and PAH interactions in lung carcinogenesis.     

DNA adduct levels and DNA repair polymorphisms in traffic-exposed workers and a general population sample.

Peripheral blood DNA adducts have been considered an acceptable surrogate for target tissues and possibly predictive of cancer risk. A group of 114 workers exposed to traffic pollution and a random sample of 100 residents were drawn from the EPIC cohort in Florence, a population recently shown to present increased DNA adduct levels (Palli et al., Int J Cancer 2000;87:444-51). DNA bulky adducts and 3 DNA repair gene polymorphisms were analyzed in peripheral leukocytes donated at enrollment, by using (32)P-postlabeling and PCR methods, respectively. Adduct levels were significantly higher for traffic workers among never smokers (p = 0.03) and light current smokers (p = 0.003). In both groups, urban residents tended to show higher levels than those living in suburban areas, and a seasonal trend emerged with adduct levels being highest in summer and lowest in winter. Traffic workers with at least 1 variant allele for XPD-Lys751Gln polymorphism had significantly higher levels in comparison to workers with 2 common alleles (p = 0.02). A multivariate analysis (after adjustment for age, season, area of residence, smoking, XPD-Lys751Gln genotype and antioxidant intake) showed a significant 2-fold association between occupational exposure and higher levels of adducts (odds ratio 2.1; 95% confidence interval 1.1-4.2), in agreement with recent pooled estimates of increased lung cancer risk for similar job titles. Our results suggest that traffic workers and the general population in Florence are exposed to high levels of genotoxic agents related to vehicle emissions. Photochemical pollution in warmer months might be responsible for the seasonal trend of genotoxic damage in this Mediterranean urbanized area.     

Effect of acetylator genotype on 3, 2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl induced aberrant crypt foci in the colon of hamsters

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) are assumed to be preneoplastic lesionsin both rodent and human carcinogenesis. The colon carcinogen3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB), like other arylamines,undergoes N-acetylation and O-acetylation by polymorphic acetyltransferase(NAT2). In the present study we characterized ACF in hamstercolon for the first time and compared the ability of DMAB toinduce ACF in homozygous rapid and slow acetylator congenicSyrian hamsters (Bio 1.5/H-NAT2^r and Bio 1.5/H-NAT2^s, respectively),differing only at the NAT2 gene locus and other closely linkedloci. The animals received DMAB (75 mg/kg body weight s.c.)or vehicle (PBS/DMSO 1:1) as a control, twice weekly for 2 weeks,then once a week for 4 weeks. Ten weeks after the first injectionACF were observed in the DMAB treated hamsters, but not in thecontrols. However, the number of ACF was three times higher(P = 0.016) in the colons of the NAT2^r hamsters compared withthe colons of the NAT2^shamsters. In the two congenic hamsterlines we also studied the induction of ACF with 1, 2-dimethythydrazine(DMH) treatment, a colon carcinogen not metabolized by NAT2.Hamsters given DMH (25 mg/kg body weight s.c.), once a weekfor 3 weeks, showed ACF induction in the colon after 10 weeks,but there was no difference between the NAT2^r and NAT2^s hamsters.Further scanning electron microscopic and histological examinationof ACF observed with the light microscope, revealed the samegross morphology and therefore confirmed the basis for the scoringof ACF. The ACF in hamster colons were in principle similarto the lesions observed in other species.     

Comparison of pulmonary O6-methylguanine dna adduct levels and Ki-ras activation in lung tumors from resistant and susceptible mouse strains

The role of O⁶-methylguanine (O⁶MG) DNA adduct formation and persistence in the formation of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)—induced lung tumors from resistant C57BL/6 and susceptible A/J mice was investigated. In addition, the frequencies of pulmonary tumor formation and Ki-ras activation were defined in C57BL/6 mice treated with NNK or vinyl carbamate (VC), and the role of the p53 gene in pulmonary carcinogenesis in these resistant mice was examined. One day after treatment with 100 mg/kg NNK, O⁶MG adduct concentrations were twofold to eightfold higher in Clara cells and type II cells than in small cells or whole lungs from both mouse strains. The concentrations of O⁶MG in isolated cells decreased at a similar rate in the two strains of mice. Lung tumors were detected by 27 mo of age in 18% of the C57BL/6 mice after a single 100 mg/kg dose of NNK and in 46% of these mice after a single 60 mg/kg dose of VC. In contrast, the tumor incidence in untreated C57BL/6 mice was 4%. Only one of 22 lung tumors from C57BL/6 mice treated with NNK contained an activated Ki-ras gene that was associated with an O⁶MG DNA adduct, whereas previous studies detected activated Ki-ras oncogenes in most of the NNK-induced lung tumors analyzed from susceptible A/J and resistant C3H mice. The small differences in formation and persistence of the O⁶MG adduct in whole lung or isolated lung cells from A/J and C57BL/6 strains do not account for the differences in either susceptibility for tumor formation or activation of the Ki-ras gene between these strains. In contrast to the low number of NNK-induced tumors with Ki-ras mutations in the resistant mice, 11 of 20 lung tumors from VC-treated mice contained activated Ki-ras genes. Neither p53 tumor suppressor gene mutations nor overexpression of the p53 protein were detected in spontaneous or chemically induced lung tumors in C57BL/6 mice. Thus, although Ki-ras activation was detected in some tumors, pathways independent of ras activation and p53 inactivation also appear to be involved in lung tumorigenesis in this resistant mouse strain.     

Body mass index modulates aromatic DNA adduct levels and their persistence in smokers.

Smokers with a low body mass index (BMI; weight/height(2)) have a higher risk for developing lung malignancies as compared with smokers of average weight, but there is no mechanistic explanation for this observation. Carcinogens in cigarette smoke are thought to elicit cancer by the formation of DNA adducts, which give the opportunity to additionally investigate the biological link between BMI and lung cancer. DNA adduct levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 24 healthy smoking volunteers (0.76 +/- 0.41 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides) positively correlated with cigarette consumption (r = 0.51; P = 0.01) and were inversely related with BMI (r = -0.48; P = 0.02). A significant overall relationship was observed when both parameters were included in multiple regression analysis (r = 0.63; P = 0.007). Moreover, body composition may affect DNA adduct persistence, because lipophilic tobacco smoke-derived carcinogens accumulate in adipose tissue and can be mobilized once exposure ceases. Therefore, DNA adduct levels and BMI were reassessed in all of the subjects after a nonsmoking period of 22 weeks. Adduct levels declined to 0.44 +/- 0.23 per 10(8) nucleotides (P = 0.002), and the estimated half-life was 11 weeks on the basis of exponential decay to background levels in never-smoking controls (0.33 +/- 0.18 per 10(8) nucleotides). Overweight subjects (BMI >25) with little weight gain after smoking cessation (相似文献