Metabolism of mutagens and carcinogens in woodchuck liver and its relationship with hepatitis virus infection

Thirty-six wild-caught woodchucks (Marmota monax) were characterized according to sex, weight, trapping locality, liver pathology, and serum or hepatic markers of woodchuck hepatitis virus. Liver subcellular fractions were assayed for microsomal cytochromes P-450, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, glutathione, cytosolic enzymes involved in its metabolism (glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase), in the hexose monophosphate shunt (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase), NADH- and NADPH-dependent diaphorases, and DT diaphorase. Moreover, liver postmitochondrial fractions were assayed for their ability to activate procarcinogens [i.e., a tryptophan pyrolysate product, aflatoxin B1, 2-aminofluorene, and trans-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene] to mutagenic metabolites in the Ames reversion test and to decrease the activity of direct-acting mutagens [i.e., 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide, 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-[3-(2-chloroethyl)aminopropylamino]acridine X 2HCl, and sodium dichromate]. A considerable interindividual variability in metabolism was observed among the examined woodchucks. Some of the investigated parameters were more elevated in virus carriers, especially in those suffering from chronic active hepatitis, but only a few of the recorded differences (i.e., oxidized glutathione reductase and NADPH-dependent diaphorase) were statistically significant. The comparison of the monitored activities in woodchucks and in other rodent species (rat and mouse) led to the conclusion that the liver metabolism of mutagens and carcinogens in woodchucks is more oriented in the sense of activation, while detoxification mechanisms are more efficient in rats and mice.     

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.     

32P Postlabelling analysis of urinary mutagens from smokers of black tobacco implicates 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) as a major DNA-damaging agent

When mutagens extracted from the urine of two smokers of black tobacco were reacted with DNA in vitro in the presence of a metabolic activation system, several DNA adducts were detected by 32P-postlabelling analysis. Some of these adducts were also visible, but only faintly, on the autoradiogram for a non-smoker's urine. DNA adducts produced in vitro by 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline or 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[3,5-b]pyridine could not account for the adduct pattern produced by the urinary mutagens. However, three or four 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-related DNA adducts were present among the five or six adducts observed for smokers in the autoradiograms of urinary mutagen-adducted nucleotides. Mutagenicity testing combined with HPLC fractionation of urinary extracts also supported the postlabelling data which implicates PhIP as a mutagen in the urine of smokers of black tobacco.     

Selective mutagenic activation by cytochrome P3-450 of carcinogenic arylamines found in foods

Heterocyclic arylamines found in cooked foods including fish and beef are potent mutagens and carcinogens. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the specificity of cytochromes P1-450 and P3-450 toward the metabolic activation of these arylamines. We used a novel mutagenicity test system which combined human cells expressing either recombinant cytochrome P1-450 or P3-450 with Salmonella typhimurium to score mutants. Cytochrome P3-450, a single isoform of the cytochrome P-450 supergene family, bioactivated these food mutagens. Cytochrome P1-450 showed little or no activation of these arylamines but was the isoform predominantly responsible for the activation of the aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol. This assay system should serve to define the specificities of individual cytochromes P-450 in the metabolic activation of carcinogens.     

Role of DT diaphorase the cytotoxicity of menadione and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide in cultured mammalian fibroblastic cells.

The role of DT diaphorase on the cytotoxicity (reduction in colony formation frequency) of menadione and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) was examined in two fibroblastic cell lines (Chinese hamster V79H3 cells and NG2 Syrian hamster cells). The addition of dicoumarol (10(-4) M-3 x 10(-4) M), a specific inhibitor of DT diaphorase, resulted in an intensification of the cytotoxicity of menadione, supporting the hypothesis that DT diaphorase protects cells against the oxidative stress induced by quinones. On the other hand, the toxicity of 4NQO was greatly reduced by the addition of dicoumarol (10(-5) M-3 x 10(-4) M), showing that DT diaphorase is the key (or the sole) enzyme involved in the activation of 4NQO in the above cells.     

Purification of hepatic polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase from homozygous rapid acetylator inbred hamster: identity with polymorphic N-hydroxyarylamine-O-acetyltransferase

The polymorphic acetyltransferase isozyme expressed in homozygous rapid acetylator inbred hamster liver cytosol was purified over 2000-fold by sequential Q-Sepharose fast-flow anion-exchange chromatography, Sephacryl S-200 high-resolution size-exclusion chromatography, Mono Q anion-exchange fast-protein liquid chromatography, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isozyme migrated as a single homogeneous monomer following both preparative and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The molecular weight was estimated at 34,170 following elution via size-exclusion chromatography and 35,467 following migration via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The homogeneous polymorphic acetyltransferase exhibited a broad substrate specificity; it catalyzed the acetyl coenzyme A-dependent N-acetylation of p-aminobenzoic acid, carbocyclic arylamine carcinogens such as 2-aminofluorene, 4-aminobiphenyl and beta-naphthylamine, and heterocyclic arylamine carcinogens such as 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3'2'd]imidazole and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole. It also readily catalyzed the acetyl coenzyme A-dependent metabolic activation (via O-acetylation) of N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene to DNA adducts but not the metabolic activation (via intramolecular, N,O-acetyltransfer) of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene or N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl to DNA adducts. Conversely, the partially purified monomorphic acetyltransferase isozyme from the same hamsters readily catalyzed the metabolic activation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene and N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl, and rates of metabolic activation of these substrates did not differ between homozygous rapid and slow acetylator liver, intestine, kidney, and lung cytosols. Heat inactivation rates for the purified polymorphic acetyltransferase isozyme were first order and indistinguishable for the acetyl coenzyme A-dependent N-acetylation and O-acetylation activities. The results strongly suggest the expression of a single polymorphic acetyltransferase product of the hamster polymorphic acetyltransferase gene that catalyzes both acetyl coenzyme A-dependent N-acetylation and O-acetylation of arylamine and N-hydroxyarylamine carcinogens but not the metabolic activation of N-hydroxy-N-acetylarylamines (arylhydroxamic acids) via intramolecular N,O-acetyltransfer. Consequently, acetylator genotype-dependent metabolic activation of N-hydroxyarylamines to a DNA adduct in hamster is catalyzed by direct O-acetylation of the hydroxyl group and not via sequential N-acetylation followed by N,O-acetyltransfer.     

Enhanced metabolic activation of chemical hepatocarcinogens in woodchucks infected with hepatitis B virus

The metabolism of chemical carcinogens was investigated in liverpreparations from 28 captive woodchucks (Marmotamonax). Of these,23 were naturally infected with the wood-chuck hepatitis virus(WHV), and eight also had primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC).Twenty-nine parameters were investigated in liver subcelhilarfractions, including cross-reactivity with HBsAg, and biochemicalparameters, such as -glutamyl transpeptidase, cytochrome P-450and mirosomal monooxygenases (aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase,ethodycoumarin and ethoxyresorufin deethylases, amino-pyrineand dimethylnitrosamine demethylases, and testosterone 7-and16ß- and 6ß-hydroxylases), uridine 5'-diphos-phoglucuronosyltransferase, GSH and related enzymes (peroxidase, reductaseand S-transferase), as well as other cytosolic enzyme activities(glucose 6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases,NADPH- and NADH-dependent diaphorases, and DT diaphorase). Inaddition, liver preparations were used in order to quantifythe metabolic activation into bacterial mutagens of five procarcinogens(aflatoxin B¹, the pyrolysis products Trp-P-2 and MelQ, 2-aminofluoreneand dimethylnitrosamine) and the decrease of potency of threedirect-acting mutagens (sodium di-chromate, ICR 191 and 4-nitroquinoline1-oxide). WHV infection produced a significant stimulation ofcarcinogen metabolism, as shown by the simultaneous change indetoxification parameters (GSH depletion) and activation indices(enhancement of microsomal monooxygenases and of pro-carcinogenactivation into mutagenic metabolites). There were no significantdifferences between WHV-positive samples from animals, withoutPHC and the noncancerous tissue of PHC-bearing animals, whereasa decrease of both activation and detoxification indices wasrecorded in the turmorous tissue. There was a considerable interindividualvariability among WHV carriers, which was tentatively ascribedto genetic factors. Pregnancy was the only known factor influencingthe results in WHV carriers. However, even by excluding pregnantanimals, the effects on carcinogen metabolism produced by WHVinfection were still statistically significant. These results,together with previous data obtained in humans, revealed thatmetabolic factors may play a role in the synergism between viralhepatitis and chemical hepato-carcinogens in the etiopathogenesisof PHC.     

Effect of heterocyclic amines and beef extract on chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human lymphocytes

Two of the major bacterial mutagens formed in heated meat products,2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3, 8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f quinoxaline or the basic fraction of beef extract induceda low frequency of sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytecultures in the presence of metabolic activation. Structuralchromosome aberrations were not induced at comparable high concentrationsin human lymphocytes with intact repair system, suggesting thatrepair or induction of point mutations are involved in the DNA-damagingeffect of heterocyclic amines rather than structural chromosomeaberrations. Accordingly it may be concluded that mammaliancells with both intact repair and enzyme systems are more relevantthan bacterial systems for evaluating the carcinogenic potentialof heterocyclic amines.     

32P-postlabelling analysis of DNA adducted with urinary mutagens from smokers of black tobacco

In order to characterize the tobacco-derived mutagens excreted in the urine of tobacco smokers, 32P-postlabelling techniques were used to examine DNA adducts formed from these mutagens with calf thymus DNA in the presence of a metabolic activation system (rat liver S9, Aroclor 1254-induced, with or without acetyl coenzyme A). Using either nuclease P1 or butanol extraction procedures, four-six and three spots, respectively, were reproducibly found on the autoradiograms in the case of the urine extract from two smokers of black tobacco. Using the urinary extract from a non-smoker, only three faint spots were detected after nuclease P1 enrichment. DNA adducts produced in smokers' urine were then compared with those formed by four N-hydroxyarylamines, N-hydroxy-2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, N-hydroxy-2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, N-hydroxy-2-naphthylamine and N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl. Visual inspection revealed that none of the reference aromatic amines contributed to the adduct pattern produced by the urinary mutagen(s). However, primary aromatic amines are mainly implicated as urinary mutagens because: (i) they produce frameshift mutations in Salmonella typhimurium strains, (ii) they are easily extractable with blue cotton and (iii) their mutagenicity is abolished by a nitrite treatment procedure for deamination.     

Chemopreventive Activity of Turmeric Essential Oil and Possible Mechanisms of Action

This study aimed to evaluate the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity of turmeric essential oil as well as to establish biochemical mechanisms of action. Antimutagenicity testing was accomplished using strains and known mutagens with and without microsomal activation. Anticarcinogenic activity was assessed by topical application of 7, 12 – dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as initiator and 1% croton oil as promoter for the induction of skin papillomas in mice. Inhibition of p450 enzymes by TEO was studied using various resorufins and aminopyrene as substrate. Turmeric essential oil (TEO) showed significant antimutagenic activity (p<0.001) against direct acting mutagens such as sodium azide (NaN3), 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine (NPD) and N-methyl-N-nitro N’nitrosoguanine (MNNG). TEO was found to have significant antimutagenic effect (>90%) against mutagen needing metabolic activation such as 2-acetamidoflourene (2-AAF). The study also revealed that TEO significantly inhibited (p<0.001) the mutagenicity induced by tobacco extract to Salmonella TA 102 strain. DMBA and croton oil induced papilloma development in mice was found to be delayed and prevented significantly by TEO application. Moreover TEO significantly (P<0.001) inhibited isoforms of cytochrome p450 (CYP1A1,CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2A, CYP2B and CYP3A) enzymes in vitro, which are involved in the activation of carcinogens. Results indicated that TEO is antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic and inhibition of enzymes (p450) involved in the activation of carcinogen is one of its mechanisms of action.     

The bioactivation of CB 1954 and its use as a prodrug in antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT)

Walker cellsin vivo orin vitro are exceptionally sensitive to the monofunctional alkylating agent CB 1954 (5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide). The basis of the sensitivity is that CB 1954 forms DNA interstrand crosslinks in Walker cells but not in insensitive cells. Crosslink formation is due to the aerobic reduction of CB 1954 to form 5-(aziridin-1-yl)-4-hydroxylamino-2-nitrobenzamide by the enzyme DT diaphorase. The 4-hydroxylamine can not crosslink DNA directly but requires further activation by a non-enzymatic reaction with a thioester (such as acetyl coenzyme A). As predicted from their measured DT diaphorase activities, a number of rat hepatoma and hepatocyte cell lines are also sensitive to CB 1954. However, no CB 1954-sensitive tumours or cell lines of human origin have been found. This is because the rate of reduction of CB 1954 by the human form of DT diaphorase is much lower than that of the Walker enzyme (ratio of k_cat= 6.4). To overcome this intrinsic resistance of human cells towards CB 1954 a number of strategies have been developed. First, analogues have been developed that are more rapidly reduced by the human form of CB 1954. Second, the cytotoxicity of CB 1954 can be potentiated by reduced pyridinium compounds. Third, a CB 1954 activating enzyme can be targeted to human tumours by conjugating it to an antibody (ADEPT). A nitroreductase enzyme has been isolated fromE. coli that can bioactivate CB 1954 much more rapidly than Walker DT diaphorase and is very suitable for ADEPT. Thus CB 1954 may have a role in the therapy of human tumours.     

Cytochrome P450 forms in the rodent lung involved in the metabolic activation of food-derived heterocyclic amines

The metabolic activation of the promutagens 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline(IQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx)and 2-amino-1-methyI-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) byrat and mouse lung microsomes was studied using Salmonella mutagenicity(strain TA98). Lungs from uninduced animals were found to activateall three compounds. A 4–6 fold higher mutagenic activitywas obtained with IQ compared to MeIQx and the mutagenic responseof PhIP was 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than that ofIQ. In order to characterize the forms of P450 in the lung responsiblefor the metabolic activation of these food mutagens Westernblots were performed with microsomes and partially purifiedP450 fractions from the lung. Western blots revealed the presenceof cytochrome P450 2A, 2B and 4A forms in untreated rats. Inthe lung CYP 1A1 was only detectable after BNF treatment ofrats. The CYP 4A isozymes, which have not previously been describedin the rat lung, were further identified after PCR amplificationfrom lung mRNA as 4A2 and 4A8. Antibody inhibition studies showedthat CYP 2A3 catalyzed a major part (70%) of the metabolic activationof IQ by uninduced rat lung microsomes. The metabolic activationof MeIQx was not influenced by this antibody. An antibody againstCYP 2B isozymes also partially inhibited the activation of IQby uninduced rat lung microsomes. However, since induction ofCYP 2B isozymes in the liver by phenobarbital treatment didnot increase the metabolic activation of the heterocyclic aminesover controls it is unlikely that the rat lung CYP 2B1 is participatingin the activation of heterocyclic amines. The inhibition ofthe IQ-dependent mutagenicity by the CYP 2B antibody is probablydue to cross-reaction with CYP 2A3. Alfa-naptho-flavone (ANF),considered to be a specific inhibitor of CYP 1A isozymes at10 µM, partly inhibited the activation of IQ (30–40%)and MeIQx (60–80%) by uninduced rat and mouse lung microsomes.Upon pretreatment of rats with BNF, lung microsomes activatedMeIQx at a rate that was 2–10-fold higher than controllung microsomes, whereas the increase in EROD activity was approximately100-fold in the same lung preparations. These results suggestthat CYP 1A1 may not be the enzyme responsible for the activationof MeIQx in the control rat despite the inhibition with ANF.It is likely that ANF can inhibit other P450 enzymes in thelung, including CYP 2A3. The involvement of CYP 2A3. The involvementof CYP 2A3 in the metabolic activation of IQ by uninduced ratlung shows that CYP forms that are not of major importance inthe liver may play a significant role in extra-hepatic activationof heterocyclic amines.     

Carcinogen substrate specificity of human COX-1 and COX-2

The activation of carcinogenic aromatic and heterocyclic amines and benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol to intracellular electrophiles by prostaglandin H synthase (COX) is well documented for ovine sources of this enzyme. Here, the arachidonic acid-dependent activation of substrates by human (h)COX-1 and-2 is examined, utilizing recombinant enzymes. The COX-dependent activation of benzidine (BZ), 4-aminobiphenyl, (+)benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol, (+)benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP), and 4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA) is assessed by means of COX-catalyzed, covalent DNA binding. The hCOX isozymes activated all substrates tested, activation varied from barely detectable for IQ (0.76 and 1.52 pmol bound/mg DNA for COX-1 and -2, respectively) to a high of 65 and 117 pmol bound/mg DNA for COX-1 and -2, respectively, for the activation of MOCA. BZ, which is an excellent peroxidase substrate, did not exhibit high DNA binding levels in hCOX assays and this phenomenon was found to be due to high levels of binding to protein, which effectively competed with the DNA for binding in the assay. The demonstrated ability of the COX enzymes to activate a variety of environmental and dietary carcinogens indicates a potential role for COX in the activation pathway of aromatic and heterocyclic amines and polycyclic hydrocarbons at extra-hepatic sites during early or late stages of carcinogenesis.     

Inhibition of Aminoimidazoquinoxalinc-type and Aminoimidazol-4-one-type Mutagen Formation in Liquid Reflux Models by l-Tryptophan and Other Selected Indoles

The essential amino acid l -tryptophan ( l -Trp) was found to be an effective inhibitor of the development of mutagenicity (Ames test) in liquid-reflux models known to produce identified IQ-type mutagens, such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5- f ]quinoxaline (MeIQ_x) and 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5- f ]qninoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQ_x), and in reflux models recently developed in our laboratory that have been found to produce novel IQ-"like" mutagens (aminoimidazol-4-ones), which we have identified as 2-amino-1-methyl-5-propylideneimidazol-4-one (TCP-1), and 2-amino-5-ethylidene-1-methylimidazol-4-one (TCP-2 or ACP). Selected indoles other than l -Trp were also found to be effective inhibitors of mutagen formation in these same reflux models. A mechanism of inhibition of mutagen formation based on the preferential reaction of mutagen precursor aldehydes with the indole-ring nitrogen of these inhibitors, rather than with creatinine, is indicated, and a new "concerted condensation model" for the formation of IQ-type mutagens proposed.     

Heterocyclic aromatic amines efficiently induce mitotic recombination in metabolically competent Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) represent a class of potent bacterial mutagens and rodent carcinogens which gain their biological activity upon metabolic conversion by phase I and phase II enzymes. Subsequent to cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent hydroxylation, mainly catalyzed by CYP1A2, acetylation mediated by the activity of N-acetyltransferase, NAT2, produces the ultimate electrophilic product that may react with DNA. In addition to point mutations observed in HA-exposed cells as genotoxic endpoint in vitro, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) has often been identified in HA-related rodent tumors as another endpoint in vivo. LOH may reflect a chromosomal deletion, a chromosome loss or a previous mitotic recombination event and it represents a prominent mechanism for the inactivation of tumor suppressor alleles. In this study we have investigated whether LOH observed in several HA-induced rodent tumors is related to a recombinogenic activity of HA compounds, and to address this question we have studied the genotoxic activity of several HAs in metabolically competent Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. For this purpose expression vectors have been constructed providing simultaneous expression of three human enzymes, CYP1A2, NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase and NAT2 in different genotoxicity tester strains. Evidence for functional expression of all three enzymes has been obtained. One strain allowed us to monitor HA-induced gene conversion, another one HA-induced chromosomal translocation. A third strain allowed us to study HA-induced forward mutations in the endogenous URA3 gene. It was found that 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3, 8-dimethylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoxaline produced a strong recombinogenic response in either recombination tester strain. The recombinogenic activity was comparable with the mutagenic activity of the compounds. The other HAs, 2-amino-3, 4-dimethyl-imidazo-[4, 5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido-[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole, 2-aminodipyrido-[1,2-a:3', 2'-d]imidazole, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H pyrido-[4,3-b]indole and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo-[4, 5-b]pyridine, produced weak or no increases in the genotoxic endpoints of interest. The described strains may provide a suitable tool to characterize the genotoxic potential of HAs in more detail.     

Inhibition of aminoimidazoquinoxaline-type and aminoimidazol-4-one-type mutagen formation in liquid reflux models by L-tryptophan and other selected indoles

The essential amino acid L-tryptophan (L-Trp) was found to be an effective inhibitor of the development of mutagenicity (Ames test) in liquid-reflux models known to produce identified IQ-type mutagens, such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx), and in reflux models recently developed in our laboratory that have been found to produce novel IQ-"like" mutagens (aminoimidazol-4-ones), which we have identified as 2-amino-1-methyl-5-propylideneimidazol-4-one (TCP-1), and 2-amino-5-ethylidene-1-methylimidazol-4-one (TCP-2 or ACP). Selected indoles other than L-Trp were also found to be effective inhibitors of mutagen formation in these same reflux models. A mechanism of inhibition of mutagen formation based on the preferential reaction of mutagen precursor aldehydes with the indole-ring nitrogen of these inhibitors, rather than with creatinine, is indicated, and a new "concerted condensation model" for the formation of IQ-type mutagens proposed.     

Induction of cytochrome P450, generation of oxidative stress and in vitro cell-transforming and DNA-damaging activities by glucoraphanin, the bioprecursor of the chemopreventive agent sulforaphane found in broccoli

The reduced cancer risk that appears to be linked to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has fueled the belief that regular intake of isolated phytochemicals could potentially prevent cancer. In recent years, the glucosinolate metabolites derived from cruciferous vegetables, such as the isothiocyanate sulforaphane in broccoli, have gained much attention as potential cancer chemopreventive agents. The protective effect of sulforaphane, which is liberated from its glucosinolate precursor glucoraphanin (GRP) by myrosinase hydrolysis, is conventionally thought to involve the induction of Phase-II metabolizing enzymes. These Phase-II enzymes are implicated in the detoxication of many carcinogens and reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby protecting cells against DNA damage and subsequent malignant transformation. While the induction of Phase-II enzymes is usually considered beneficial, in some cases these enzymes also bioactivate several hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, despite its projected benefits, the unknown effect of sulforaphane on Phase-I enzyme systems, which are involved in the bioactivation of a variety of carcinogens, should not be overlooked. Here we show that, in rat lungs, while GRP, the bioprecursor of the chemopreventive agent sulforaphane, slightly induced Phase-II detoxifying enzymes, it powerfully induced Phase-I carcinogen-activating enzymes, including activators of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concomitant with this Phase-I induction, GRP also over-generated ROS. Additionally, in a cell-transforming assay, GRP facilitated the metabolic activation of the PAH benzo[a]pyrene to reactive carcinogenic forms and in a yeast genotoxicity test it damaged DNA. This suggests that regular administration of GRP could actually increase rather than decrease cancer risk, especially in individuals exposed to environmental mutagens and carcinogens such as those found in tobacco smoke and in certain industrial settings.     

Metabolism of 2-acetylaminofluorene and benzo(a)pyrene and activation of food-derived heterocyclic amine mutagens by human cytochromes P-450

The human P-450 CYP1A1 gene and a P450IA2 complementary DNA have been expressed in Cos-1 cells and the expressed proteins were assayed for their capacity to metabolize the carcinogens 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF), benzo(a)pyrene, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was determined. The expressed human P450IA1 and P450IA2 proteins, when run on a 7.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, migrated with different mobilities, with the former displaying the lower molecular weight. In human liver microsomes from 18 subjects, only a protein band corresponding to P450IA2 was detectable. Cos-1 cell-expressed P450IA1 and P450IA2 were capable of N-hydroxylating AAF and these activities were inhibited by alpha-naphthoflavone. In human liver microsomes, a correlation of r = 0.76 (P less than 0.05; n = 18) was obtained between AAF N-hydroxylase activity and P450IA2 content. AAF N-hydroxylase activity of human liver microsomes was also strongly inhibited by alpha-naphthoflavone. Except in the case of PhIP, where both proteins exhibited similar activities, P450IA2 was at least an order of magnitude more efficient than P450IA1 in activating IQ, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, and 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline to mutagens as measured in the Ames test. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between IQ activation and P450IA2 content (r = 0.75, r2 = 0.56) and PhIP activation and P450IA2 content (r = 0.71, r2 = 0.5) in human liver microsomes. The activation of both IQ and PhIP by expressed proteins and human liver microsomes was strongly inhibited by alpha-naphthoflavone. The above data suggest a major role for P450IA2 in activation (N-hydroxylation) of aromatic amides and amines in human liver. When benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity was determined, only Cos-1 cell-expressed P450IA1 exhibited appreciable activity. While alpha-naphthoflavone inhibited Cos-1 cell-expressed P450IA1 benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity, it caused a marked stimulation of this activity in human liver microsomes, which lack P450IA1 protein. The lack of a role for P450IA proteins in benzo(a)pyrene metabolism is further supported by the poor correlation (r = 0.43, P greater than 0.05) between this activity and P450IA2 content of human liver microsomes. However, when P450IIIA3 content of the above human liver microsomes was determined by using the Western blot technique and correlated with benzo(a)pyrene metabolism, an r value of 0.70 (P less than 0.5) was obtained. These data suggest that human P450IIIA proteins are involved in benzo(a)pyrene metabolism.     

Quantitative assessments of the cytotoxicity of bladder carcinogens towards cultured normal human uroepithelial cells

Chemical carcinogens are known to exert cytotoxic effects on cells. The survival of cultured human uroepithelial cells (HUC) after exposure to several important classes of human and experimental animal bladder carcinogens has been quantitatively assessed in vitro using reduction in cell number and/or colony forming efficiency as the endpoint(s). Cells were treated with different carcinogens or various metabolites of a procarcinogen and the responses were analyzed with respect to the cell type used and to the donor source of the cells. The cytotoxic responses of HUC to the stable bladder procarcinogens tested [4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), 4-nitrobiphenyl, N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazole]formamide and 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole] were dependent on both the concentration of chemical used and the duration of exposure. The survival of HUC after exposure to several metabolites of ABP differed. The N-hydroxylated derivatives of ABP (N-hydroxy-4-amino-biphenyl and N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl) were considerably more cytotoxic toward HUC than ABP or 4-acetylaminobiphenyl. The survival of HUC from different individuals after treatment with the direct acting carcinogen N-nitro-N-methylurea was very similar. In contrast, the survival of HUC from different donors varied considerably after treatment with the procarcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene which requires metabolic activation. However, significant heterogeneity in the survival of HUC from five donors after exposure to the human bladder procarcinogen ABP was not observed in this study. Cultures of normal human fibroblasts from four donors showed an unexpected heterogeneous response to the cytotoxic effects of ABP. These results demonstrate that many variables affect the cytotoxic response of normal cells to bladder carcinogens.