Syntheses of hydroxyamino, nitroso and nitro derivatives of Trp-P-2 and Glu-P-1, amino acid pyrolysate mutagens, and their direct mutagenicities towards Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA98NR

Hydroxyamino, nitroso and nitro derivatives of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(Trp-P-2) and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole(Glu-P-1), mutagens-carcinogens produced on pyrolysis of aminoacids, were synthesized from Trp-P-2 and Glu-P-1. 3-Hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(N-OH-Trp-P-2) and 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[l,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (N-OH-Glu-P-1) were obtained with good yieldsby controlled catalytic reduction of 3-nitro-l-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indoleand 2-nitro-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole. Subsequentoxidation of N-OH-Trp-P-2 and N-OH-Glu-P-1 with -manganese dioxideyielded 3-nitroso-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and 2-nitroso-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole.All six synthesized compounds were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimuriumTA98 without mammalian activation systems. The mutagenic activitiesof hydroxyamino and nitroso derivatives were identical for bothS. typhimurium TA98 and TA98NR, the nitroreductase deficientstrain. However, nitro derivatives were essentially mutageniconly towards S. typhimurium TA98.     

Activation and detoxication of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 by glutathione and glutathione transferases

The roles of non-enzymatic and enzymatic glutathione (GSH) conjugationin the activation and detoxication of 3-hydroxy-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(N-OH-Trp-P-2) were studied in vitro. N-OH-Trp-P-2 is an activemetaboite of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-d]indole (Trp-P-2),a mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amine. 3-Nitroso-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(NO-Trp-P-2) reacted rapidly and non-enzymatically with GSHto form N-OH-Trp-P-2 and a small amount of two GSH conjugates(CN-1 and CN-2). On the other hand, non-enzymatic reaction ofGSH with N-OH-Trp-P-2 was very slow, but the GSH conjugationwith N-OH-Trp-P-2 was catalyzed by rat liver GSH transferaseand a rat liver cytosol fraction to form three conjugates (CH-1,CH-2 and CH-3). The enzymatic conjugation was effectively inhibitedby organic tin compounds which are known as powerful GSH transferaseinhibitors. The conjugates were unstable enough to yield Trp-P-2(from CN-1, CN-2 and CH-2) or N-OH-Trp-P-2 (from CH-3) on incubationat 37°C for 30–60 min. Only CH-1 was stable undersimilar conditions. The mutagenicities of the GSH conjugatesand the effects of GSH and GSH transferase were studied by usingSalmonella typhimurium TA98 as the tester strain. The GSH conjugatesexcept for CH-3 were completely detoxicated products, but CH-3was found to be a more potent mutagen than N-OH-Trp-P-2. Themutagenicity of CH-3 seemed to be due to the direct action ofthe conjugate, and not to N-OH-Trp-P-2 formed from it.     

Influence of amino acids on the formation of mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocydic amines in a model system

Mixtures of creatinine, glucose and various single amino acidswere heated at 180°C for 10 min in an aqueous model system.The heated mixtures all showed mutagenic activity, ranging from80 to 2400 TA98 revertant colonies/µmol creatinine withmetabolic activation. Testing of HPLC fractions for mutagenicactivity showed each mixture to contain several mutagenic components,some of which corresponded to known heterocyclic amines andothers to unknown compounds. The presence of 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline,2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline and 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxalinein most of the samples was established using HPLC with photodiodearray detection and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometrywith electrospray interface and single ion monitoring. In addition,2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine,3-amino-1,4-di-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indoleand the co-mutagenic compounds 9H-pyrido[3,4-bindole and 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indolewere detected in some samples.     

Carcinogenicity of heterocyclic amines for the pancreatic duct epithelium in hamsters.

Effects of eight heterocyclic amines (HCAs) on pancreatic duct carcinogenesis were investigated in a rapid production model in hamsters. N-Nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) was given to effect initiation, followed by augmentation pressure consisting of four daily i.p. injections of 500 mg/kg DL-ethionine, a choline-deficient (CD) diet, a single i.p. injection of 800 mg/kg L-methionine and a s.c. injection of 20 mg/kg BOP. After two cycles of augmentation pressure, the HCAs 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 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-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AalphaC), 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAalphaC) or 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline [4,8-DiMeIQx) were administered in the diet for 50 or 70 days. The numbers of pancreatic ductal hyperplasias (H) and a total lesions including, atypical hyperplasia (AH), carcinomas in situ (CIS) and invasive carcinomas, were increased in hamsters given the diet containing 0.02% Trp-P-1 for 50 days. This result was confirmed and extended by the finding of increased numbers of invasive carcinomas in hamsters given 0.02% Trp-P-1 for 70 days. The number and incidence of invasive carcinomas were also elevated in hamsters given the diet containing 0.06% 4,8-DiMeIQx for 50 days. These results suggest a possible involvement of Trp-P-1 and 4,8-DiMeIQx in pancreatic duct carcinogenesis.     

Carcinogenicity in mice of mutagenic compounds from glutamic acid and soybean globulin pyrolysates

2-Amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2' -d]imidazole and 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole,potent mutagens from glutamic acid pyrolysate, were given orallyto CDF₁ mice of both sexes at concentrations of 0.05% in pelletdiet. 2-Amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole and 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole,potent mutagens from soybean globulin pyrolysate, were givento CDF₁ mice of both sexes at concentrations of 0.08%. Hepatocellularcarcinomas and hemangio-endothelial sarcomas in the brown adiposetissue were induced in high incidence by all these compounds.     

Synergistic enhancement of hepatic foci development by combined treatment of rats with 10 heterocyclic amines at low doses

Potential synergism between 10 carcinogenic heterocyclic amines[3-amino-l,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-6 methyldipyrido[l,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole(Glu-P-1), 2-ammo-dipyrido[l,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazoIe (Glu-P-2),2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline(MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx),2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeA     

Synergistic enhancement of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive hepatic foci development in diethylnitrosamine-treated rats by combined administration of five heterocyclic amines at low doses.

Potential synergism among 5 heterocyclic amines at low doses in the induction of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive liver cell foci was examined in an 8-week experiment using male rats initially given diethylnitrosamine (200 mg/kg, ip). The heterocyclic amines applied were 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (500 ppm), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]-imidazole (500 ppm), 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (800 ppm), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (800 ppm), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP, 400 ppm). Separate groups received each chemical at the dose used in earlier carcinogenicity assays (above doses), at 1/5 or 1/25 of these, or all 5 chemicals together, each at the 1/5 or 1/25 levels. The numbers and areas of GST-P-positive foci were significantly increased with all chemicals, except for PhIP, at the highest dose, the results being consistent with the reported liver carcinogenicity. In the combined treatment at the 1/5 dose levels, synergistic enhancement occurred; the numbers and areas of foci were significantly increased above the sums of individual data. However, this was not the case for the 1/25 dose groups. Although the synergism between pyrolysis products in liver carcinogenesis depended on the dose and combination of chemicals, the findings, together with those from a previous experiment using 5 different heterocyclic amines, are of particular significance since several heterocyclic amines might be simultaneously generated during cooking of foodstuffs.     

Acetyl coenzyme A dependent activation of N-hydroxy derivatives of carcinogenic arylamines: mechanism of activation, species difference, tissue distribution, and acetyl donor specificity

Acetyl coenzyme A dependent activation of 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (N-OH-Glu-P-1) and 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido [4,3-b]indole (N-OH-Trp-P-2) was investigated using cytosols from hepatic and extrahepatic tissues of various animal species in comparison with that of N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene. N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-Trp-P-2 were metabolized to the reactive species capable of binding to transfer RNA through a putative O-acetylation process by liver cytosols. Kidney, small intestinal mucosa, lung, and bladder from hamsters and rats also mediated the reaction, although their activities were lower than that in the liver. Marked species differences in the enzymatic activities of livers were observed. Hamsters showed the highest ability in the activation for N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-Trp-P-2, followed by rats. Rabbits with a rapid acetylator phenotype, which showed a high activity in the N-acetylation of arylamines, activated N-OH-Glu-P-1 but scarcely N-OH-Trp-P-2. A rabbit with a slow acetylator phenotype, mice, guinea pigs, and a dog showed marginal or nondetectable activities with N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-Trp-P-2. A typical nonheterocyclic N-hydroxyarylamine, N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene was also activated by the acetyl coenzyme A dependent system to an intermediate which bound to transfer RNA. However, the acetyl-CoA dependent binding of N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene was markedly different from those observed with N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-Trp-P-2 concerning the order of activities among animal species used. In addition to short chain acyl coenzyme As, N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene also served as an acetyl donor for the activation of N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-Trp-P-2 in liver cytosol systems. The formation of N-acetyl-N-OH-Glu-P-1, however, was not detected in the cytosolic system of N-OH-Glu-P-1 with acetyl-CoA, suggesting the direct O-acetylation at the N-hydroxy group as a major pathway for the activation of N-hydroxyarylamines.     

Carcinogenic effect of the simultaneous administration of five heterocyclic amines to F344 rats

F344 rats were given five mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, i.e., 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-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AaC), and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), mixed together in the diet each at one-fifth of the concentration used in the previous single-compound carcinogenesis experiment. Liver, colon and Zymbal gland tumors in both sexes, skin tumors in males and clitoral gland tumors in females were induced at significantly higher incidences than in control groups. Among them, the incidences of liver tumors in both sexes, skin tumors in males and clitoral gland tumors in females were significantly higher than those expected from the simple assumptions that the incidence of tumors induced by each compound would be one-fifth of that in the corresponding previous experiment and that the combined effect of the five chemicals would be additive.     

Role of human N-acetyltransferases, NAT1 or NAT2, in genotoxicity of nitroarenes and aromatic amines in Salmonella typhimurium NM6001 and NM6002.

Human NAT1 and NAT2 genes were subcloned into pACYC184 vector and the plasmids thus obtained were introduced into Salmonella typhimurium O-acetyltransferase-deficient strain NM6000 (TA1538/1, 8-DNP/pSK1002), establishing new strains NM6001 and NM6002, respectively. We compared the sensitivities of these two strains with those of NM6000 towards carcinogenic nitroarenes and aromatic amines in the SOS/umu response. The induction of umuC gene expression by these chemicals in the presence and absence of the S9 fraction was assayed by measuring the cellular beta-galactosidase activity expressed by the umuC"lacZ fusion gene in the tester strains. 2-Nitrofluorene and 2-aminofluorene induced umuC gene expression more strongly in the NM6001 strain than in the NM6002 strain. In contrast, induction of umuC gene expression by 1, 8-dinitropyrene, 6-aminochrysene and 2-amino-3,5-dimethylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline was weaker in the NM6001 strain than in the NM6002 strain. 1-Nitropyrene, 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[1,2-a:3', 2'-d]imidazole, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole were found to induce umuC gene expression at similar extents in both strains. These results suggest that the newly developed strains can be employed for the studies on mechanisms of genotoxicity of a variety of nitroarenes and aromatic amines, along with the assessment of cancer risk to humans.     

Characterization of the major DNA adduct formed by the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2, 3-b] indole (MeA{alpha}C) in primary rat hepatocytes

Cooking of proteinous food results in the formation of heterocyclicamines. Among these, 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2, 3-b]indole(MeA     

Generation of intracellular active oxygens in mouse FM3A cells by 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, the activated Trp-P-2

Mouse FM3A cells in culture were treated with a reactive metabolite of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2-(NHOH]. When the treated cells, which were judged as viable on the basis of trypan-blue exclusion, were subjected to nitroblue tetrazolium staining, formazan was formed inside the cells, a fact suggesting the intracellular presence of superoxide. No formazan formation was detected on treatment of the cells with Trp-P-2. Single-strand breaks in the cellular DNA took place during this treatment with Trp-P-2(NHOH). Since Trp-P-2(NHOH) in solution generates superoxide anion accompanying its oxidative degradation, we conclude that the Trp-P-2(NHOH) treatment produces intracellular active oxygens that can damage DNA.     

Non-specific inhibition of cytochrome P450 activities by chlorophyllin in human and rat liver microsomes

Chlorophyllin, a copper/sodium salt of chlorophyll used in thetreatment of geriatric patients, inhibits the mutagenicity of2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f)quinoline (IQ), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), aflatoxin B₁ and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P).Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that a molecularcomplex is formed between IQ and chlorophyllin, suggesting thatthis complex formation might be responsible for the antigenotoxiceffect of chlorophyllin observed. Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymesappear to be the major catalysts in the bioactivation of thesecarcinogens. We have investigated the in vitro effects of chlorophyllinon several P450 activities including ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation,benzyloxyreso-rufin O-debenzylation, coumarin 7-hydroxylation,7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, B[a]P 3-hydroxylation, andchlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation. Chlorophyllin non-specificallyinhibited all of P450 activities observed. Spectrally detectableP450 was also destroyed in microsomes and purified P450 in areconstituted system in the presence of chlorophyllin and anNADPH-generating system. These results suggest that the antigenotoxiceffect of chlorophyllin might be due to inhibition of P450 enzymesinvolving bioactivation of carcinogens in addition to molecularcomplex formation between carcinogens and chlorophyllin. Comparisonof the apparent K₁ for P450 inactivation with previously estimatedconstants for chlorophyllin-IQ complexation suggest that P450inhibition should be the dominant mechanism of inhibition.     

Catalysis of the covalent binding of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole to DNA by a L-proline- and adenosine triphosphate-dependent enzyme in rat hepatic cytosol

An enzymatic mechanism involved in the activation of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2), a mutagenic intermediate of a tryptophan pyrolysate, was studied in vitro. In hepatic cytosol supplemented with adenosine triphosphate and L-proline, N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 was converted to a form which reacts readily with DNA. The enzyme responsible for the activation was partially purified and identified as prolyl transfer RNA synthetase as judged by their cofactor requirements, inhibition by pyrophosphate or adenosine monophosphate, and copurification of their activities. The prolyl transfer RNA-dependent covalent binding of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 to DNA of hepatic cytosol was highest in rats, followed by mice, hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs in that order. The capacity for the binding of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 was largely consistent with their prolyl transfer RNA synthetase activity. With regard to the ultimate form of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 for the covalent binding, a possible formation of N,O-prolyl-3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole was proposed.     

Presence of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in urine of healthy volunteers eating normal diet, but not of inpatients receiving parenteral alimentation

For estimation of human exposures to carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, the amounts of four compounds, 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-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), in human urine were measured. Twenty-four hour urine specimens were collected from ten healthy volunteers eating normal diet (five males and five females) and three inpatients (two males and a female) receiving parenteral alimentation, and the levels of the four heterocyclic amines were measured by HPLC after partial purification by treatment with blue cotton and ion exchange column chromatography. Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, PhIP and MeIQx were detected in the 24 h urine samples of all healthy volunteers at levels of 0.04-1.43 ng, 0.03-0.68 ng, 0.12-1.97 ng and 11-47 ng respectively. As 1.8-4.9% of an oral dose of MeIQx is reported to be excreted unchanged in the urine, the daily exposure of humans to MeIQx was estimated to be 0.2-2.6 micrograms/person. The four heterocyclic amines were not detected in the urine of parenterally fed inpatients. These results indicate that humans are continually exposed to carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in food, and these compounds may not be formed endogenously.     

Prostaglandin hydroperoxidase-dependent activation of heterocyclic aromatic amines

Heterocyclic aromatic amines, derived from the pyrolysis of amino acids and proteins, are potent mutagens in the Ames Salmonella assay with rodent liver activation. Additionally, heterocyclic aromatic amines are multipotent carcinogens. We report evidence that these compounds are substrates for the hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin H synthase, as measured by alterations in UV/visible spectra, and are bioactivated to macromolecule-reactive species by this enzyme. Indirect electron paramagnetic resonance studies indicate that this activation may occur via a one-electron mechanism. 2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5f]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) are direct-acting mutagens in TA98. The mutagenicity of IQ and MeIQ, but not Trp-P-2, were enhanced by activation with ram seminal vesicle microsomes (a rich source of prostaglandin H synthase). Subsequent experiments utilized the newly constructed tester strain TA1538/1,8-DNP6 (pYG 121), which has enhanced arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity. In this strain IQ, MeIQ and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido-[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) were mutagenic with ram seminal vesicle microsome activation. 3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) was a weak direct-acting mutagen, and was not activated by the ram seminal vesicles (RSV) system. The responses of IQ and MeIQ were markedly enhanced in TA1538/1.8-DNP6 (pYG 121), relative to TA98. These data are consistent with the involvement of prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed activation in heterocyclic aromatic amine-induced extrahepatic neoplasia.     

Foci of aberrant crypts in the colons of mice and rats exposed to carcinogens associated with foods

Aberrant crypt foci can be identified in the colons of rodents treated 3 wk earlier with azoxymethane, a known colon carcinogen. These crypts can easily be visualized in the unsectioned methylene blue-stained colons under light microscopy, where they are distinguished by their increased size, more prominent epithelial cells, and pericryptal space. They occur as single aberrant crypts or as two, three, or four aberrant crypts in a cluster. We compared the reported ability of carcinogens associated with the human diet to induce colon cancer with the measured rate of induction of aberrant crypts in female CF1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. The carcinogens used were 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, methyl nitrosourea, N-nitrosodimethylamine, benzo(a)pyrene, aflatoxin B1, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-P]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-P]quinoline, and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole. Graded doses of these compounds were given to the animals by gavage twice with a 4-day interval, and the animals were terminated 3 wk later. All colon carcinogens induced aberrant crypts in a dose-related fashion. N-Nitrosodimethylamine and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, carcinogenic compounds that do not induce colon cancer, did not induce them. The ability of the studied compounds to induce aberrant crypts was species specific; e.g., aflatoxin B1 and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-P]quinoline induce about 20 times more in rats than mice. This relationship was consistent with their reported ability to induce colon cancer in these species. Results of the present study support the use of the aberrant crypt assays to screen colon-specific carcinogens and to study the process of colon carcinogenesis.     

Genotoxicity of heterocyclic amines in the Salmonella/hepatocyte system

The Salmonella/hepatocyte system was employed to determine the mutagenicity in bacteria as well as the DNA damage induced in mouse hepatocytes following exposure to heterocyclic amines. With hepatocytes from C57BL/6N mice, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) showed a clear mutagenic effect in the Salmonella, while weak mutagenic effects were observed with 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-b]imidazole (Glu-P-1), and 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2). All the compounds induced low levels of DNA damage in the hepatocytes. In vivo pretreatment of mice with the potent monooxygenase inducer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; 50 micrograms/kg) clearly increased both the mutagenicity in the bacteria and the DNA damage induced in the hepatocytes in vitro. Glu-P-2 showed the lowest mutagenic effect but induced more DNA damage at low concentrations than the other compounds when TCDD-pretreated hepatocytes were used. These data indicate that the genotoxic potency of Glu-P-2 in the intact hepatocyte differs from that observed in the bacteria. Treatment of hepatocytes with a-naphthoflavone, a selective inhibitor of polycyclic hydrocarbon-inducible cytochrome P-450 form(s), prior to exposure to the heterocyclic amines completely inhibited the mutagenic effect in the bacteria. In vivo administration of all the heterocyclic amines 4 hr prior to isolating the hepatocytes resulted in DNA damage, and this effect was augmented by TCDD pretreatment of mice. Our data suggest that agents modulating the activity and composition of the cytochrome P-450 system may greatly influence both toxicity and carcinogenicity of these heterocyclic amines.     

Sensitivities of peripheral lymphocytes from healthy humans to induction of sister chromatid exchanges by chemicals

The spontaneous sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and SCEs induced by 50 microM methyl methanesulfonate, 1 microM 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, and 5 microM 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole were examined in phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral lymphocytes from 53 healthy adult donors. The means of the mean spontaneous SCEs and SCEs induced by methyl methanesulfonate, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole in cells of these donors had coefficients of variability of 12, 14, 24, and 28%, respectively. Thus, it was possible to estimate the SCE-inducing activities of chemicals in peripheral lymphocytes from a population of healthy humans under the defined experimental conditions. These facts provide one of the useful parameters for evaluating the genotoxicities of chemicals to human beings, a genetically heterogeneous species. Cells from two of the donors were considerably more sensitive to particular chemicals than were those from other donors, consistently giving higher numbers of induced SCEs in two repeat examinations.     

Arachidonic acid-dependent peroxidative activation of carcinogenic arylamines by extrahepatic human tissue microsomes

Prostaglandin H synthase (PHS), an arachidonic acid-dependent peroxidase, has been implicated in the peroxidative activation of carcinogenic aromatic amines in extrahepatic carcinogen target tissues of experimental animals. We have examined the arachidonic acid-dependent activation of [3H]benzidine to DNA-bound products by microsomal preparations from 75 normal human tissues obtained during necessary surgical procedures. For several samples of urinary bladder epithelium, prostatic epithelium, colonic mucosa, and peripheral lung tissue, an arachidonic acid-dependent, microsomal-catalyzed activation of benzidine was observed; and the activity could be inhibited appreciably by indomethacin, a known inhibitor of PHS. Little or no arachidonic acid-dependent activity was detected in human placenta, breast, or liver microsomes or the majority of colon microsomes. Substrate specificity was also examined with purified ram PHS and with human bladder and with active colon preparations. Purified PHS catalyzed the activation of benzidine much greater than 2-naphthylamine, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole greater than 4-aminobiphenyl greater than 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline greater than 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b] indole. In comparison, human bladder and colon microsomes catalyzed the activation of benzidine greater than 4-aminobiphenyl, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole, 2-naphthylamine greater than 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole. To confirm the occurrence of PHS antigen in human extrahepatic tissues, an avidin/biotin-amplified competitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay was developed with purified ram PHS and a commercially available monoclonal antibody known to cross-react with human platelet PHS. The avidin/biotin-amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which detected ng quantities of ram PHS, clearly established the presence of the PHS protein in human bladder, prostate, and lung microsomes. In contrast, PHS antigen was not detected in the liver or placental microsomes. The interindividual and tissue-dependent variability of PHS and its role in aromatic amine carcinogenesis are discussed.