Characterization of hepatic and pulmonary cytochromes P-450 in 3-methylcholanthrene-treated hamsters

Two major forms of hepatic cytochrome P-450 (hepatic P-450_MCI and P-450_MCII) were purified approximately 5-fold from liver microsomes in Syrian golden hamsters treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). The purified preparations of hepatic P-450_MCI and P-450_MCII contained 9.6 and 8.3 nmol cytochrome P-450 (P-450) per mg protein, respectively, and were essentially free from NADPH-cytochrome c (P-450) reductase (fpT), NADH-cytochrome b₅ reductase and cytochrome b₅. By sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the molecular weights of hepatic P-450_MCI and P-450 _mMCII were estimated to be 56 000 and 53 500. Further, a major form of pulmonary P-450 (P-450_MC) were purified from lung microsomes of MC-treated hamster, and contained 14.2 nmol P-450 per mg protein, and estimated to be 56 000 in monomeric molecular weight, indicating the similar molecular weight to hepatic P-450_MCI in the hamster. From the absorption spectra the oxidized forms of hepatic P-450_MCI and P-450_MCII were high- and low-spin ferric hemoproteins, respectively, and pulmonary P-450_MC was similar to hepatic P-450_MCII in their hemoprotein spin state. No difference, however, was observed in the CO-reduced forms among hepatic P-450_MCI, P-450_MCII and pulmonary P-450_MC, all exhibiting 446.5 nm Soret bands. In a reconstituted system containing fpT and dilauroylphos-phatidylcholine (DLPC), pulmonary P-450_MC efficiently catalyzed benzo[a]pyrene (BP) hydroxylation at a rate of 11.4 mol formed per min per mol P-450, but hepatic P-450_MCI and P-450_MCII both exhibited lower levels, e. g., 0.49 and 0.54, respectively. These findings indicated a clear tissue difference in the activity of BP hydroxylation between lung and liver in MC-treated hamsters.Dedicated to Professor Dr. med. Herbert Remmer on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Gaseous nitrogen oxide repressed benzo[a]pyrene-induced human lung fibroblast cell apoptosis via inhibiting JNK1 signals

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is present in environmental pollution and cigarette smoke. B[a]P has been shown to induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells, human B cells, human ectocervical cells, macrophages, and rat lungs. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the other important indoor and outdoor air pollutants. Many studies have indicated that NO gas causes lung tissue damage both by its oxidative properties and free radicals. In our previous study we demonstrated that NO gas induced proliferation of human lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. In this study we showed that NO gas inhibits B[a]P-induced MRC-5 cells apoptosis by cell cycle analysis. Western blot data revealed that NO gas increased the expressions of anti-apoptosis proteins (Bcl-2 and Mcl-1) and decreased the expression of apoptosis proteins (Bax, t-Bid, cytochrome c, FasL, and caspases) after B[a]P treatment. We further clarified that B[a]P-induced MRC-5 cell apoptosis via JNK1/FasL and JNK1/p53 signals. In conclusion, NO gas inhibited B[a]P-induced MRC-5 cells apoptosis via inhibition of JNK1 apoptosis pathway and induction of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 anti-apoptosis pathway.     

A physiologically based toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic model links the tissue distribution of benzo[a]pyrene and toxic effects in the scallop Chlamys farreri

A physiologically based toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic (PBTK-TD) model was developed for benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in scallop Chlamys farreri. The PBTK model structure consisted of gill, digestive gland, adductor muscle, hemolymph and other tissues. In TD modeling, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity assay, comet assay, protein carbonyl measurement and lipid peroxidation level determination in digestive gland were used as biomarkers to reflect toxic effects. We integrated B[a]P concentration and biomarkers by using sigmoid E_max model in digestive gland. The PBTK-TD model predicted the B[a]P concentrations within each organ compartment and the toxic effects in digestive gland. The results showed that the predicted and measured data in different organs were in good agreement and comet assay was considered as the best biomarker. This model would serve as a useful tool for pollution monitoring and food security.     

A mathematical approach to benzo[a]pyrene-induced hematotoxicity

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has been reported to exert a differential effect on murine hematopoiesis that is mouse strain specific. Interpretation of these results based solely on experimental data is restricted and leaves important questions unanswered. Therefore, a mathematical model of murine hematopoiesis was applied in order to: (1) identify the targets of BaP, (2) quantify the damage to target cells and (3) based on these results, interpret differences in strain susceptibility. Model analysis of the hematopoietic response of D2 and BDF₁ mice to a daily oral administration of 125 mg/kg BaP showed that proliferating hematopoietic cells are the targets of BaP. Within this group it was found that: (a) erythropoietic cells were the most susceptible to BaP, (b) granulopoietic cells showed a susceptibility half that of erythropoietic cells and (c) the susceptibility of stem cells ranged between that of erythropoietic and granulopoietic cells. This damage pattern was the same for both strains, indicating that the difference between the strains was quantitative. As cell destruction rates were about 3-fold higher for D2 than BDF₁ mice, it was concluded that D2 mice were about three times as susceptible to BaP as BDF₁ mice. The study showed that the mathematical model, in addition to experimental methods, provided an efficient tool for the analysis of BaP hematotoxicity.     

Long-term effects of a standardized complex mixture of urban dust particulate on the metabolic activation of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human cells in culture.

Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. We examined the long term effects of a standard reference material (SRM) 1649a over time on the metabolic activation and DNA adduct formation by two carcinogenic PAHs, benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DBP) in the human mammary carcinoma derived cell line MCF-7. PAH-DNA adduct analysis, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 protein expression were determined in cells treated with SRM 1649a alone or SRM 1649a with either BP or DBP for 24 to 120 h. Averaging over time, significantly higher levels of DNA adducts were observed in cells treated with BP or DBP alone than in co-treatments with SRM 1649a and BP or DBP. Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase assay indicated a significant increase in activity in cells treated with BP alone and co-treated with SRM1649a in comparison to other treatment groups. Induction of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 protein expression was observed by immunoblots in cells treated with BP alone or in co-treatments of SRM 1649a and BP or DBP. These data demonstrate the influence of the components of SRM 1649a in inhibiting the activation of BP or DBP by CYP enzymes in the formation of DNA adducts. It also suggests that the carcinogenic activity of PAH within a complex mixture may vary with composition and activation of the components present in the complex mixture.     

Activity of rat UGT1A1 towards benzo[a]pyrene phenols and dihydrodiols

Four UDP-glucuronosyltransferases from the rat UGT1A family were tested for activity towards benzo[a]pyrene phenols and dihydrodiols. UGT1A1 and UGT1A7 were found to be broadly active towards BaP metabolites. Antisera recognizing rat UGT1A1 and UGT1A7 were used to assess UGT levels in relation to UGT activity towards benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol (BPD). The rank BPD UGT activities were liver = intestine  kidney, whereas UGT1A1 was highest in liver and UGT1A7 was highest in intestine. Phenobarbital, an inducer of hepatic UGT1A1, only slightly increased BPD UGT activity, whereas UGT1A7 inducers more potently increased the activity. Inhibition studies using the differential UGT1A1 inhibitor, bilirubin, suggest that UGT1A1 is not a major contributor to the constitutive BPD glucuronidating activity of control rat liver microsomes. These data suggest that multiple UGT1A enzymes contribute to glucuronidation of BPD and other BaP metabolites, and that their relative contributions depend on tissue- and environmental-specific factors.     

Low-Dose Gamma-Radiation Inhibits Benzo[A]Pyrene-Induced Lung Adenoma Development in A/J Mice

Low-dose ionizing radiation (LDR) may lead to suppression of smoking-related lung cancer. We examined the effects of a known cigarette smoke carcinogen Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) alone or in combination with fractionated low-dose gamma radiation (60 – 600 mGy total dose) on the induction of lung neoplasms in the A/J mouse. Our results show that 600 mGy of gamma radiation delivered in six biweekly fractions of 100 mGy starting 1 month after B[a]P injection significantly inhibits the development of lung adenomas per animal induced by B[a]P. Our data also indicated that the six biweekly doses suppressed the occurrence of spontaneous hyperplastic foci in the lung, although this suppression failed to reach statistical significance when analyzed as average foci per lung possibly related to the small sample sizes used for the control and test groups.     

Comparison of the kinetics of various biomarkers of benzo[a]pyrene exposure following different routes of entry in rats

The effect of route of exposure on the kinetics of key biomarkers of exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a known human carcinogen, was studied. Rats were exposed to an intravenous, intratracheal, oral and cutaneous dose of 40 µmol kg^–1 BaP. BaP and several metabolites were measured in blood, urine and feces collected at frequent intervals over 72 h post‐treatment, using high‐performance liquid chromatography/fluorescence. Only BaP and 3‐hydroxyBaP (3‐OHBaP) were detectable in blood at all time points. There were route‐to‐route differences in the excreted amounts (% dose) of metabolites but the observed time courses of the excretion rate were quite similar. In urine, total amounts of BaP metabolites excreted over the 0–72 h period followed the order: trans‐4,5‐dihydrodiolBaP (4,5‐diolBaP) ≥ 3‐OHBaP > 7‐OHBaP ≥ 7,8‐diolBaP after intravenous injection and intratracheal instillation; 3‐OHBaP ≈ 7‐OHBaP ≥ 4,5‐diolBaP > 7,8‐diolBaP after cutaneous application; 3‐OHBaP ≥ 4,5‐diolBaP ≈ 7‐OHBaP > 7,8‐diolBaP following oral administration. In feces, total amounts of BaP metabolites recovered were: 7‐OHBaP ≈ 3‐OHBaP > 4,5‐diolBaP > 7,8‐diolBaP > BaP‐7,8,9,10‐tetrol following all administration routes. For all exposure routes, excretion of 4,5‐ and 7,8‐diolBaP was almost complete over the 0–24 h period in contrast with that of 3‐ and 7‐OHBaP. This study confirms the interest of measuring multiple metabolites due to route‐to‐route differences in the relative excretion of the different biomarkers and in the time courses of diolBaPs versus OHBaPs. Concentration ratios of the different metabolites may help indicate time and main route of exposure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of a dioxin-like PCB (CB 126) on the biotransformation and genotoxicity of benzo

Two experiments were performed to study the interaction between benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and the planar, dioxin-like PCB congener 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB 126) in the flatfish dab (Limanda limanda). The first experiment involved four groups. Group I was treated with 10 μg/kg CB 126, group II was treated with 2 mg/kg BaP, group III was first treated with 10 μg/kg CB 126 and exposed to 2 mg/kg BaP 6 days later, and group IV was a control group. The second experiment was similar, except that the BaP dosage level was increased to 50 mg/kg. Pre-treatment with 10 μg/kg of CB 126 always caused the induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), as measured by significant increases of the model reaction 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) in microsomal preparations. Treatment of dab with BaP caused a significant EROD induction at the 50 mg/kg, but not at the 2 mg/kg level. Concurrent with EROD induction by either CB 126 or 50 mg/kg BaP, was a significant change in the biliary metabolite pattern in favour of 1-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and towards a lower fraction of the procarcinogen BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol (7,8-DIOL). Pre-treatment with CB 126 did not cause an increase of hepatic BaP DNA adducts formed after treatment with either 2 or 50 mg/kg BaP. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities remained also unaffected by any of the treatments. The results of this study suggest that the pattern of BaP metabolites in bile depends on the level of CYP1A induction. Moreover, the concurrence of a potent CYP1A inducer and BaP does not necessarily lead to an increase in DNA adduct levels in liver tissue. The observation that the level of 7,8-DIOL is decreased despite a higher (CYP1A mediated) EROD activity explains, at least in part, the lack of induction of DNA adducts.     

Urban dust particulate matter alters PAH-induced carcinogenesis by inhibition of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P) are well-studied environmental carcinogens, however, their potency within a complex mixture is uncertain. We investigated the influence of urban dust particulate matter (UDPM) on the bioactivation and tumor initiation of B[a]P and DB[a,l]P in an initiation-promotion tumorigenesis model. SENCAR mice were treated topically with UDPM or in combination with B[a]P or DB[a,l]P, followed by weekly application of the promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate. UDPM exhibited weak tumor-initiating activity but significantly delayed the onset of B[a]P-induced tumor initiation by two-fold. When cotreated with UDPM, DB[a,l]P-treated animals displayed no significant difference in tumor-initiating activity, compared with DB[a,l]P alone. Tumor initiation correlated with PAH-DNA adducts, as detected by (33)P-postlabeling and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1 and 1B1 proteins was also detected following UDPM treatment or cotreatment with B[a]P or DB[a,l]P, indicating PAH bioactivation. Further genotoxicity analyses by the comet assay revealed that cotreatment of UDPM plus B[a]P or DB[a,l]P resulted in increased DNA strand breaks, compared with PAH treatment alone. The metabolizing activities of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, as measured by the 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) assay, revealed that UDPM noncompetitively inhibited CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 EROD activity in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, these data suggest that components within complex mixtures can alter PAH-induced carcinogenesis by inhibiting CYP bioactivation and influence other genotoxic effects, such as oxidative DNA damage. These data further suggest that in addition to the levels of potent PAH, the effects of other mixture components must be considered when predicting human cancer risk.     

ALCAM基因敲除对苯并[a]芘恶性转化细胞THBEc1转录组的影响

目的 检测活化白细胞黏附分子(ALCAM)基因敲除后苯并[a]芘(BaP)恶性转化细胞THBEc1转录组的改变,探究ALCAM在BaP致癌中的作用,为进一步阐明BaP致癌机制提供线索.方法 选择两株ALCAM基因纯合敲除THBEc1细胞THBEc1-△ALCAM-c5和THBEc1-△ALCAM-c7及一株敲除对照细胞...     

Maternal benzo[a]pyrene exposure is correlated with the meiotic arrest and quality deterioration of offspring oocytes in mice

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in particulate matter that has a diameter of ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5). Studies have demonstrated that BaP exposure causes oocyte meiotic arrest in mice. However, whether BaP exposure also affects oocyte maturation in offspring remains unclear. To test this, female mice were administered BaP before pregnancy to generate BaP-exposed offspring. Our findings showed that BaP exposure reduced the in vitro maturation and increased the abnormalities of meiotic apparatus in offspring oocytes. In addition, BaP exposure reduced the mitochondrial content and intracellular ATP generation, induced early apoptosis, increased reactive oxidative species accumulation and the genomic DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mc) level in offspring oocytes. Along with the abovementioned defective parameters, maternal BaP exposure further compromised the embryo developmental competence of offspring oocytes. In summary, our study demonstrated that maternal BaP exposure compromised offspring oocyte maturation and quality.     

苯并[a]芘和铅对小鼠的联合神经毒性及脑组织的影响

目的研究苯并[a]芘(benzo[a]pyrene BaP)、铅单独与联合作用对小鼠的神经毒性及小鼠脑组织热应激蛋白(HSPs)HSP 70、HSP 90β表达的影响。方法将80只昆明种小鼠随机分为10组，每组8只，既：空白对照组、溶剂对照组、低浓度铅染毒组、高浓度铅染毒组、低剂量BaP染毒组、高剂量BaP染毒组、低浓度铅 低剂量BaP染毒组、低浓度铅 高剂量BaP染毒组、高浓度铅 低剂量BaP联合染毒组和高浓度铅 高剂量BaP联合染毒组。低、高剂量BaP染毒分别为0．5和5mg／kg BaP的植物油溶剂每周4次腹腔注射，溶剂对照组用植物油作平行处理。低、高剂量的铅染毒分别为5．4和54mg／L醋酸铅饮水染毒。实验中观察动物一般情况及神经系统损伤表现，实验8周后取各组小鼠脑组织，称重并计算脑组织脏器系数。制作脑组织混合匀浆，western blot法检测HSP70、HSP90β水平。结果BaP与铅联合染毒可使小鼠脑组织脏器系数降低；HSP900β相对表达值与脑组织脏器系数量负相关。结论BaP与铅联合作用可明显损伤脑组织；HSP90β对上述损害起标志作用。     

Ex vivo study of incorporation into adipocytes and lipolysis-inhibition effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

We have previously shown that benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) administrated at extremely low dose can cause weight gain in mice and that the increase in adipose tissue mass is due to inhibition of β-adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis. Moreover we have suggested that in addition to its endocrine properties, adipose tissue act as a reservoir for many chemical carcinogens including Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).     

苯并[a]芘损害神经元DNA的细胞学研究

目的研究苯并[a]芘（BaP）染毒对体外培养大鼠小脑粒细胞胞核DNA的损伤。方法取8日龄SD大鼠小脑粒细胞进行培养，并分（1）空白对照组；（2）溶剂对照组（等量DMSO平行处理）；（3）低浓度BaP染毒组（BaP 5μmol／L＋S9-mix）；（4）中浓度BaP染毒组（BaP 15 μtmol／L＋S9-mix）；（5）高浓度BaP染毒组（BaP 45 μmol／L＋S9-mix）。染毒90min，胰酶消化法收集标本。苔盼蓝染色法检测细胞存活率；SCGE法检测大鼠小脑粒细胞胞核DNA的损伤程度；TUNEL法检测大鼠小脑粒细胞胞核DNA的损伤率，并对细胞存活率与DNA损伤率进行相关分析。结果（1）染毒组与对照组以及各染毒组之间大鼠小脑粒细胞存活率差异均有显著性（P〈0．05～P〈0．0001）；（2）染毒组与对照组以及各染毒组之间大鼠小脑粒细胞胞核DNA损伤率差异均有非常显著性（P〈0．05～P〈0．0001）；（3）细胞存活率与DNA损伤率负相关（r=-0．9402，P〈0．01）；（4）高剂量染毒组与对照组之间大鼠小脑粒细胞胞核DNA损伤程度差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论BaP染毒可引起大鼠小脑粒细胞胞核DNA损伤，损伤程度随染毒剂量增加而加强。胞核DNA损伤是BaP引起体外神经元死亡的原因之一。     

Ovotoxicity and PPAR-mediated aromatase downregulation in female Sprague-Dawley rats following combined oral exposure to benzo[a]pyrene and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

The aim of the present study was to determine the ovotoxicity of female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), either alone or in combination; the molecular mechanism and the combined effects were also evaluated. Female rats were given intragastric administration of control (corn oil), B[a]P (5 and 10mg/kg), DEHP (300 and 600 mg/kg) and B[a]P+DEHP (at 5mg/kg and 300 mg/kg respectively, or at 10mg/kg and 600 mg/kg respectively) on alternate days for 60 days. Relative ovary weight, estrous cycle, 17β-estradiol blood level, ovarian follicle populations, granulosa cell apoptosis, and gene and protein expression of P450Arom and PPAR were investigated. Our study demonstrated that the combination of B[a]P and DEHP exerts ovotoxicity in female rats and suppression of sex hormone secretion and homeostasis, which is associated with prolonged estrous cycles, decreases in ovarian follicle populations and granulosa cell apoptosis involving a PPAR-mediated signaling pathway of action of the two chemicals. In addition, based on qualitative assessment of the combined toxicity, no interaction effects were observed following combined B[a]P and DEHP administration.     

Preliminary physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for benzo[a]pyrene and dibenzo[def,p]chrysene in rodents

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants generated as byproducts of natural and anthropogenic combustion processes. Despite significant public health concern, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling efforts for PAHs have so far been limited to naphthalene, plus simpler PK models for pyrene, nitropyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The dearth of published models is due in part to the high lipophilicity, low volatility, and myriad metabolic pathways for PAHs, all of which present analytical and experimental challenges. Our research efforts have focused upon experimental approaches and initial development of PBPK models for the prototypic PAH, B[a]P, and the more potent, albeit less studied transplacental carcinogen, dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC). For both compounds, model compartments included arterial and venous blood, flow limited lung, liver, richly perfused and poorly perfused tissues, diffusion limited fat, and a two compartment theoretical gut (for oral exposures). Hepatic and pulmonary metabolism was described for both compounds, as were fractional binding in blood and fecal clearance. Partition coefficients for parent PAH along with their diol and tetraol metabolites were estimated using published algorithms and verified experimentally for the hydroxylated metabolites. The preliminary PBPK models were able to describe many, but not all, of the available data sets, comprising multiple routes of exposure (oral, intravenous) and nominal doses spanning several orders of magnitude. Supported by Award Number P42 ES016465 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.     

Excretion of benzo[a]pyrene and metabolites in urine and feces of rats: influence of route of administration, sex and long-term ethanol treatment

The urinary and fecal excretion of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and its main metabolites were studied after oral and intraperitoneal administration of B[a]P to male and female ethanol-treated and non-ethanol- treated rats. After oral administration of B[a]P more mutagenic compounds as well as B[a]P metabolites were found in feces than after intraperitoneal administration. The excretion of B[a]P metabolites in urine and feces after oral administration were maximal at days 1 and 2 whereas after intraperitoneal administration excretion was maximal at days 2 and 3. In males, the amounts of excreted phenolic metabolites in urine and feces were generally higher than in females. The amounts of mutagenic products in urine and feces of males were also higher than in females after intraperitoneal and oral administration of B[a]P. In urine of female rats that received B[a]P intraperitoneally, a decreased excretion of phenolic metabolites was found after ethanol treatment. In feces of both male and female rats, a decreased excretion of 3-OH-B[a]P was found after ethanol treatment. In this study, the influence of sex and administration route on the excretion of B[a]P metabolites was more pronounced than the effect of ethanol treatment.