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Showing papers in "Carcinogenesis in 1994"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There was an increased CYP1A1 inducibility and enzymatic activity in subjects with the exon 7 polymorphism, and in Subjects with both polymorphisms, and when Msp1 and exon 6 genotypes were combined.
Abstract: At least two different polymorphisms in the human CYP1A1 gene have been associated with an increased risk for tobacco-related lung cancer; however, the functional significance of these polymorphisms has not been determined. We measured CYP1A1 genotypes, gene expression levels and enzymatic activity levels in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes to determine whether genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1 alter transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional regulation of the gene. Genotypes were determined at two sites previously associated with lung cancer: a point mutation in exon 7 near the catalytic region of the enzyme and an Msp1 RFLP in the 3' non-coding region of the gene. Variant genotypes at the Msp1 site had no effect on CYP1A1 gene induction, however, variant genotypes at the exon 7 site were significantly associated with increased CYP1A1 gene inducibility. We also observed a significant interaction between the exon 7 polymorphism and smoking on mRNA levels. There was a 3-fold elevation in CYP1A1 enzymatic activity in exon 7 variant genotypes. When Msp1 and exon 7 genotypes were combined, there was an increased CYP1A1 inducibility and enzymatic activity in subjects with the exon 7 polymorphism, and in subjects with both polymorphisms.

317 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Melatonin's ability to suppress DNA adduct formation may relate to its inhibitory effect on a mixed function oxidase, cytochrome p-450, and on the recently identified hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of the indole.
Abstract: Hepatic DNA adduct formation induced by the chemical carcinogen, safrole, was suppressed by both endogenous pineal melatonin release and by the exogenous administration of melatonin to rats. DNA damage after administration of of melatonin to rats. DNA damage after administration of 100 mg/kg safrole (i.p.) was measured by the P1 enhanced 32P-postlabeling analysis method. The RAL (relative adduct labeling) x 10(7) of carcinogen modified DNA in the liver of untreated controls and in safrole treated animals killed during the day, at night, after pinealectomy and pinealectomy plus melatonin injection (0.15 mg/kg x 4 or a total of 0.6 mg/kg) was 0, 12.6 +/- 0.75, 10.9 +/- 0.72, 13.6 +/- 1.12 and 5.7 +/- 0.53 respectively. For the same groups of animals, circulating melatonin levels at the termination of the study were 31 +/- 3, 29 +/- 2, 276 +/- 31, 24 +/- 1 and 13,950 +/- 1016 pg/ml serum respectively. The higher the melatonin concentration in the serum the lower was DNA adduct formation in the rat liver. Thus, high nocturnal levels of melatonin were protective against safrole-induced DNA damage. These findings indicate that the functional pineal gland plays an important role in oncostatic actions of carcinogens such as safrole. At physiological levels, melatonin seemed to prevent especially the formation of what was referred to as the N1 DNA adduct. Melatonin's ability to suppress DNA adduct formation may relate to its inhibitory effect on a mixed function oxidase, cytochrome p-450, and on the recently identified hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of the indole. The oncostatic action of melatonin is also suggested by its nuclear accumulation and DNA stabilization characteristics. At pharmacological levels melatonin is extremely potent in preventing DNA modification induced by the chemical carcinogen, safrole.

262 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The ability of a substance to reduce the yield of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced foci in the colon of male Fischer 344 rats, was evaluated as a screening assay for chemopreventive agents.
Abstract: Foci of aberrant and/or hexosaminidase-negative crypts in rat colon are putative precancerous lesions that have been proposed as biomarkers for short-term bioassays for chemical carcinogens and chemopreventive agents. The ability of a substance to reduce the yield of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced foci in the colon of male Fischer 344 rats, was evaluated as a screening assay for chemopreventive agents. Twenty-eight test agents were administered continuously in the diet from the start of the experiments until the animals were killed 35 days later. AOM was s.c. administered either as 15 mg/kg body wt on days 7 and 14 or as 30 mg/kg body wt on day 7 of the experiment. Foci of aberrant crypts were evaluated in whole mounts of methylene blue-stained colons. AOM induced twice as many foci when administered between 8.40 and 11.00 a.m. than between 2.45 and 5.55 p.m. Calcium salts of carbonate, chloride and glucarate decreased the yield of AOM-induced foci while the acidic salts of lactate and phosphate did not inhibit the formation of foci. Dimethyl-fumarate, fumaric acid, genistein, piroxicam, simethicone, sodium suramin and sulindac reduced the yield of AOM-induced foci of aberrant crypts, with genistein being the most potent. Only piroxicam of this group has previously been shown to inhibit colon cancer, while the rest have yet to be evaluated. Ibuprofen did not inhibit the formation of foci, although it has been reported to inhibit AOM-induced colon cancer in rats. Piroxicam and sulindac appeared to reduce preferentially hexosaminidase-negative foci of aberrant crypts, compared with those of apparently normal morphology. The AOM-induced foci of aberrant crypts assay appears suitable for screening chemicals for chemopreventive action.

233 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A computer program is presented for comparison of two mutational spectra of single base substitutions in the p53 gene, which are compared in bladder cancers from smokers and non-smokers, and hepatocellular carcinomas from high- and low-aflatoxin exposure groups.
Abstract: Mutations in the p53 oncogene are extremely common in human cancers, and environmental exposure to mutagenic agents may play a role in the frequency and nature of the mutations. Differences in the patterns of p53 mutations have been observed for different tumor types. It is not trivial to determine if the differences observed in two mutational spectra are statistically significant. To this end, we present a computer program for comparison of two mutational spectra. The program runs on IBM-compatible personal computers and is freely available. The input for the program is a text file containing the number and nature of mutations observed in the two spectra. The output of the program is a P value, which indicates the probability that the two spectra are drawn from the same population. To demonstrate the program, the mutational spectra of single base substitutions in the p53 gene are compared in (i) bladder cancers from smokers and non-smokers, (ii) small-cell lung cancers, non-small-cell lung cancers and colon cancers and (iii) hepatocellular carcinomas from high- and low-aflatoxin exposure groups. p53 mutations differ in several important aspects from a typical mutational spectra experiment, where a homogeneous population of cells is treated with a specific mutagen and mutations at a specific locus are recovered by phenotypic selection. The means by which p53 mutations are recognized is by the appearance of a cancer, and this phenotype is very complex and varied.

215 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The mutagenic potential of the epoxide metabolites of butadiene (BD) was measured at the tk and hprt loci in TK6 human lymphoblastoid cells, and the ability of DEB to induce deletions may be related to its ability to form DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links.
Abstract: The mutagenic potential of the epoxide metabolites of butadiene (BD) was measured at the tk and hprt loci in TK6 human lymphoblastoid cells. TK6 cells were exposed for 24 h to 0-400 microM 1,2-epoxybutene (EB), 0-800 microM 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EBD), or 0-6 microM 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB). Treated cells were allowed to grow for several days and then seeded in medium containing either 6-thioguanine or trifluorothymidine to select for hprt- or tk-/- mutants, respectively. All three metabolites were mutagenic at both loci, with DEB exhibiting activity at concentrations approximately 100-fold lower than EB or EBD. At the hprt locus, an induced mutation frequency of 5 x 10(-6) (approximately twice background hprt- frequency) was produced by treatment with 3.5 microM DEB, 150 microM EB and 450 microM EBD. At the tk locus, a similar increase in mutation frequency (total tk-/- frequency) was produced by treatment with 1.0 microM DEB, 100 microM EB and 350 microM EBD. Each epoxide tested was capable of inducing slow growth tk-/- mutants. This mutant phenotype, as shown previously by others, results from large alterations in the tk region which completely remove the active tk allele. In addition, Southern blot analysis revealed that approximately half of DEB-induced hprt- mutants displayed loss of wild-type hprt restriction fragments. No statistically significant increase in the fraction of hprt deletions among EB mutants was observed. The ability of DEB to induce deletions may be related to its ability to form DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links.

202 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the p53 mutations in cancers of factory workers with a history of carcinogen exposure in the workplace were found in exons 5-8 of the MDM2 gene.
Abstract: Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are commonly found in the major human cancers and the mutational spectrum in some cancer types is consistent with the genotoxic effects of the associated environmental risk factors. Thus far there is little information on p53 mutations in cancers of factory workers with a history of carcinogen exposure in the workplace. Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride causes liver angiosarcomas (ASL) and also increases the risk of several other cancers. Loss of p53 function in osteo- and fibrosarcomas can occur by two different mechanisms, p53 mutation and amplification of the MDM2 gene. We examined tumors from five vinyl chloride-exposed patients, four with ASL and one with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for evidence of MDM2 proto-oncogene amplification or p53 mutation in exons 5-8. Amplification of MDM2 was not found, but in two of the angiosarcomas an A:T to T:A missense mutation was detected. p53 sequence analysis of vinyl chloride associated cancers may provide valuable information on the relationship between carcinogen exposure and DNA damage in cancer-related genes.

200 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A combined risk of squamous cell carcinoma was indicated for patients, diagnosed before 66 years of age, carrying both GSTM1(-) and m2 alleles and to make a combined risk estimate for carriers of multiple risk alleles.
Abstract: Genetically based differences in metabolism, related to MspI restriction site and Ile-Val polymorphisms of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 gene and the null genotype of glutathione transferase class mu (GSTM1), have been reported to be associated with lung cancer susceptibility. The present study was set up to establish the frequencies of the polymorphic genotypes of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 in Sweden, to evaluate a possible increased incidence of the genotypes associated with higher lung cancer risks among Swedish lung cancer patients and to try to make a combined risk estimate for carriers of multiple risk alleles. In a healthy control group, all under 66 years of age, 53% (174/329) of the subjects were of the GSTM1(-) genotype, while in a hospital control group 49% (39/79) carried the GSTM1(-) genotype. In the investigated lung cancer patients this genotype was found in 56% (165/296) and among those patients diagnosed before 66 years of age the deficient genotype was found in 60% (78/131). The highest proportion of the GSTM1(-) genotype was found in patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (63%, 29/46) and small cell carcinoma (72%, 21/29) before 66 years of age and among female squamous cell carcinoma patients (79%, 15/19). The allelic variants in CYP1A1 were equally distributed in lung cancer patients and controls. The m1/m2 and m2/m2 genotypes of the MspI site and the Ile/Val genotype were, however, slightly over-represented in squamous cell carcinoma patients. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed before 66 years of age the m1/m2 genotype was found in 28% (10/36), whereas the same genotype was observed in 16% (52/329) of healthy control subjects. A combined risk of squamous cell carcinoma was indicated for patients, diagnosed before 66 years of age, carrying both GSTM1(-) and m2 alleles (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.2-7.2).

199 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that the radioprotective effect of flavonoids in mice may be attributed to the hydroxyl radical scavenging potency in a direct or an endogenous enzyme mediated manner.
Abstract: The anticlastogenic effect of 12 structurally different flavonoids was investigated in whole body gamma-ray irradiated mice. Each flavonoid was administered to ICR male mice by a single gastric intubation (5 mumol/kg) 6 h before gamma-ray irradiation (1.5 Gy) and the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRETs) in peripheral blood was determined. In order to elucidate the mechanism of the anticlastogenic effect of these flavonoids, their antioxidative activities were examined by the thiobarbituric acid method using methyl linoleate and Fenton's reagent (Fe2+/H2O2). Of the 12 flavonoids, luteolin had the most marked effect on reducing the frequencies of MNRETs and also inhibiting lipid peroxidation. However, quercetin tetramethylether, which has methoxy groups instead of hydroxyl groups at the 3,7,3',4'-positions, and phloretin with an open C-ring showed the least anticlastogenic and antioxidative activity. A good correlation (r = 0.717, P < 0.01) was observed between the anticlastogenic activity and the antioxidative activity of the 12 flavonoids. These results suggest that the radioprotective effect of flavonoids in mice may be attributed to the hydroxyl radical scavenging potency in a direct or an endogenous enzyme mediated manner.

197 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: AX is a possible chemopreventive agent for bladder carcinogenesis and such an effect of AX may be partly due to suppression of cell proliferation, as indicated by results of mice treated with AX or CX.
Abstract: The chemopreventive effects of two xanthophylls, astaxanthin (AX) and canthaxanthin (CX), on urinary bladder carcinogenesis induced by N-butyl-N(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (OH-BBN) was investigated in male ICR mice. Mice were given 250 p.p.m. OH-BBN in drinking water for 20 weeks and after a 1 week interval with tap water, water containing AX or CX at a concentration of 50 p.p.m. was administered during subsequent 20 weeks. Other groups of mice were treated with AX or CX alone or untreated. At the end of the study (week 41), the incidences of preneoplastic lesions and neoplasms in the bladder of mice treated with OH-BBN and AX or CX were smaller than those of mice given OH-BBN. In particular, AX administration after OH-BBN exposure significantly reduced the incidence of bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) (P < 0.003). However, the inhibition of the frequencies of such lesions in mice treated with OH-BBN and CX was not significant. Treatment with AX or CX also decreased the number/nucleus of silver-stained nucleolar organizer region proteins (AgNORs), a new index of cell proliferation, in the transitional epithelium exposed to OH-BBN. Preneoplasms and neoplasms induced by OH-BBN, and the antiproliferative potential, was greater for AX than CX. These results indicate that AX is a possible chemopreventive agent for bladder carcinogenesis and such an effect of AX may be partly due to suppression of cell proliferation.

190 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The reaction of the NO released from DEA/NO with cysteine under aerobic conditions resulted in the formation of an S-nitrosothiol adduct, suggesting that a similar adduct could be responsible for the inactivation of DNA repair protein.
Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be involved in a number of physiological processes. In the presence of oxygen, this reactive diatomic molecule is capable of generating reactive nitrogen oxide species (NOx) which possess both nitrosating and oxidizing ability for various substrates, including certain biological macromolecules. This report shows the inhibition of the DNA repair protein, O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase, by Et2N[N(O)NO]Na (DEA/NO), a compound which decomposes with concurrent release of NO. The inhibition of the purified transferase activity by NO was dose- and time-dependent and the extent of inhibition by DEA/NO corresponded to the total quantity of NO released. This inhibitory effect by NO was also demonstrated to be reversible over time. The reaction of the NO released from DEA/NO with cysteine under aerobic conditions resulted in the formation of an S-nitrosothiol adduct, suggesting that a similar adduct could be responsible for the inactivation.

187 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: No statistical difference in null genotype frequencies among bladder cancer patients compared to a healthy population is found, indicating large epidemiologic studies, which can be accomplished with dried blood spots or paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, may be useful for further assessment.
Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, found in cigarette smoke, food and industrial materials, are potential human carcinogens. Deficiency of detoxifying enzymes, such as glutathione transferases, may affect the metabolic fates of these chemicals and raise cancer risks in exposed individuals. The GSTM1 null genotype is a common form of glutathione transferase deficiency. Because knowledge of its ethnic distribution would be useful in epidemiologic studies, we measured the frequencies of the GSTM1 null genotype among healthy blacks, whites, Asian Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, Samoans and Hispanics. Rapid genotyping was done by use of a PCR assay, with dried blood spots on blotter paper as DNA templates. The frequency of the null genotype ranged from 0.31 among blacks to 0.88 among Samoans. The PCR assay was also applied to a pilot study of 114 bladder cancer cases from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Harbor City, California. DNA for these cases was obtained from paraffin-embedded surgical specimens. The overall odds ratio for bladder cancer with the GSTM1 null genotype was 1.4 (95% confidence interval 0.94-2.1), indicating no statistical difference in null genotype frequencies among bladder cancer patients compared to a healthy population. Large epidemiologic studies, which can be accomplished with dried blood spots or paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, may be useful for further assessment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results, together with reports of site-directed mutagenesis of this protein, suggest that the cysteine residues contained within the zinc finger motif of the Fpg protein are the primary sites of NO interaction.
Abstract: Nitric oxide has been shown to be a mediator molecule in the regulation of many physiological functions. However, this small diatomic molecule in the presence of O2 generates reactive intermediates which modify DNA bases and inactive enzymes at high concentrations (100 microM). We report that NO generated by 1,1-diethyl-2-hydroxy-2-nitrosohydrazine (DEA/NO, Et2NN(O)NO-Na+), a compound known to release NO in a predictable manner, caused irreversible damage at physiological concentrations to the zinc finger-containing DNA repair enzyme formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycolyase (Fpg protein). The inhibition of the enzyme activity was DEA/NO dose and time dependent with IC50s with respect to total NO released from this compound of approximately 110 and approximately 120 mumol/l respectively. This inhibitory effect by P3 was not reversible over time in the presence of reducing agents and/or Zn2+. Nitrite and diethylamine, the nitrogenous products of the decomposition of DEA/NO, did not inhibit the enzyme. The presence of 500 micrograms/ml bovine serum albumin did not protect the protein from the inhibitory effects of DEA/NO, however, the presence of 10 mM cysteine did dramatically abate the inhibition of the Fpg protein by DEA/NO. Other DNA glycosylases tested were not inhibited by exposure to these concentrations of NO. These results, together with reports of site-directed mutagenesis of this protein, suggest that the cysteine residues contained within the zinc finger motif of the Fpg protein are the primary sites of NO interaction. Our studies were then extended to intact cells. The Fpg protein activity was decreased following treatment in vivo when Escherichia coli MH321 (acr A-) cells were treated with DEA/NO. Furthermore, the Fapy-DNA glycosylase activity in H4 cells, a rat hepatoma line, was decreased when intact cells were incubated with DEA/NO.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: H2O2 caused generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH) and much higher levels of Cr(V), showing that .OH can be generated via a Cr(IV)-mediated Fenton-like reaction (Cr(IV) + H2 O2-->Cr(V) + .OH + OH-).
Abstract: Incubation of Cr(VI) with ascorbate generated Cr(V), Cr(IV) and ascorbate-derived carbon-centered alkyl radicals, as well as formyl radicals. H2O2 caused generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH) and much higher levels of Cr(V), showing that .OH can be generated via a Cr(IV)-mediated Fenton-like reaction (Cr(IV) + H2O2-->Cr(V) + .OH + OH-). 1,10-Phenanthroline and deferoxamine inhibited the formation of both .OH and Cr(V) from the reaction of Cr(VI) with ascorbate in the presence of H2O2. Electrophoretic assays showed that ascorbate-derived free radicals caused DNA double-strand breaks. .OH radicals generated by Cr(V)- and Cr(IV)-mediated Fenton-like reactions also caused DNA double-strand breaks. HPLC measurements showed that .OH radicals generated by Cr(IV) and Cr(V) from H2O2 caused 2'-deoxyguanine hydroxylation to form 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanine.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that the elevated alpha-class GST levels in plasma reflect GST-alpha induction in tissues such as liver and small intestine under non-toxic conditions and support the results of epidemiologic studies that consumption of cruciferous vegetables may result in a decreased cancer risk.
Abstract: The effect of consumption of glucosinolate-containing Brussels sprouts on alpha-class glutathione S-transferase levels in human blood plasma was investigated in 10 healthy, male, non-smoking volunteers. Following a 3-week run-in period, five volunteers continued on a glucosinolate-free diet during a subsequent 3-week intervention period (control group), while the other five (sprouts group) consumed 300 g of cooked Brussels sprouts per day, at the expense of 300 g of a glucosinolate-free vegetable. alpha-Class glutathione S-transferases were measured by radioimmunoassay. In the control group, similar alpha-class glutathione S-transferase levels were observed in both periods (P = 0.814), while in the sprouts group the alpha-class glutathione S-transferase levels were elevated by a factor of 1.4 (P = 0.002). We hypothesize that the elevated alpha-class GST levels in plasma reflect GST-alpha induction in tissues such as liver and small intestine under non-toxic conditions. The present findings indicate that alpha-class GST levels in plasma may be used as a biomarker for alpha-class GST levels in tissues. In addition, they support the results of epidemiologic studies that consumption of cruciferous vegetables may result in a decreased cancer risk.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The mutagenic potential and mutational spectra of butadiene (BD), 1,2-epoxybutene (EB), and diepoxybutane (DEB) were determined in splenic T cells from exposed B6C3F1 mice, suggesting that these epoxide agents may be working through a similarmutagenic mechanism.
Abstract: The mutagenic potential and mutational spectra of butadiene (BD), 1,2-epoxybutene (EB), and diepoxybutane (DEB) were determined in splenic T cells from exposed B6C3F1 mice. Mice exposed by inhalation to 625 p.p.m. BD for 2 weeks displayed an average hprt- mutation frequency of 6.2 x 10(-6) compared to 1.2 x 10(-6) in controls. Mice were also given three daily i.p. doses of 60, 80 and 100 mg EB/kg or 7, 14 and 21 mg DEB/kg. Average hprt- frequencies of 5.4 x 10(-6), 4.1 x 10(-6) and 8.6 x 10(-6) were seen in the EB groups, respectively, while average frequencies of 4.6 x 10(-6), 9.4 x 10(-6) and 13 x 10(-6) were seen in the DEB groups. DNA sequencing revealed that approximately half of the mutations induced in vivo by BD, EB and DEB were frameshift mutations. A +1 frameshift 'hotspot' in six consecutive guanine bases in exon 3 was observed with all three compounds. The remaining mutations produced by BD, EB and DEB were transition and transversion mutations at both AT and GC base pairs. Base pair substitutions induced by BD were biased in favor of mutation at AT base pairs. The mutational spectra produced by BD, EB and DEB were very similar to that observed previously with ethylene oxide, suggesting that these epoxide agents may be working through a similar mutagenic mechanism.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Examination of the biliary and/or circulatory transport of N-hydroxy-PhIP and its N-glucuronides, N-sulfonyloxy- PhIP and N-acetoxy-Phip indicated that these two bioactivated derivatives of PhIP are sufficiently stable to be transported through the circulation to extrahepatic tissues.
Abstract: The food-borne mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) induces tumors in colon of male rats and has been implicated in the etiology of human cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. This study was conducted to examine: (1) the biliary and/or circulatory transport of N-hydroxy-PhIP and its N-glucuronides, N-sulfonyloxy-PhIP and N-acetoxy-PhIP; (2) their role as proximate and ultimate carcinogenic metabolites of PhIP; (3) the potential role of glutathione in modulating PhIP-DNA adduct formation. PhIP-DNA adducts, measured by the 32P-postlabeling method, were highest in the pancreas (361 adducts/10(8) nucleotides or 100%), followed by colon (56%), lung (28%), heart (27%) and liver (2%), at 24 h after a single oral dose of PhIP (220 mumol/kg) to male rats. In each tissue examined, we observed two major adducts, each of which accounted for 35-45% of the total, and one minor adduct, which represented about 10-20% of the total. One of the major adducts was identified as N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b]pyridine by chromatographic comparisons with an authentic standard. The major urinary metabolites of PhIP in these rats were 4'-hydroxy-PhIP and its glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, followed by N-hydroxy-PhIP N3-glucuronide, N-hydroxy-PhIP N2-glucuronide and unchanged PhIP. In bile duct-ligated rats, the urinary excretion of the N-OH-PhIP N3-glucuronide was increased two-fold, but there was no effect on PhIP-DNA adduct formation in the colon, heart, lung, pancreas or liver. 2,6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenol, which strongly inhibits arylsulfo-transferase-mediated DNA binding in vivo, had no effect on PhIP-DNA adduct levels in liver or in extrahepatic tissues. Pretreatment of rats with buthionine sulfoximine, which results in hepatic glutathione depletion, caused a five-fold increase in adduct formation in the liver. Intravenous administration (10 mumol/kg) of N-hydroxy-PhIP and N-acetoxy-PhIP each led to high levels of PhIP-DNA adducts in each of the extrahepatic tissues examined. Adduct levels ranged from two- to six-fold higher (for N-hydroxy-PhIP) and four- to 28-fold higher (for N-acetoxy-PhIP) as compared to that after an i.v. dose of the parent compound, indicating that these two bioactivated derivatives of PhIP are sufficiently stable to be transported through the circulation to extrahepatic tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that the oxidative damage results from the localized generation of singlet oxygen or a similar bound reactive entity rather than free hydroxyl radical in the presence of H2O2/Cu(II) system.
Abstract: It has previously been proposed that redox cycling between catechol estrogens and their quinones, mediated by cytochrome P450, could lead to the generation of free radicals that would subsequently cause oxidative damage to DNA and proteins that might have a role in hormonal carcinogenesis. Alternative, non-enzymatic mechanisms involving copper have been shown to participate in the oxidation of various chemicals through processes that also result in the appearance of reactive oxygen species and subsequent site-specific oxidative DNA damage. The goal of the present study was to determine whether the 2-hydroxy-catechol of estradiol (2-OH-E2) can be oxidized by copper through a process which generates reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative DNA damage as detected by the appearance of strand breaks in phi X-174 plasmid DNA. Our results show that both single- and double-strand breaks are formed in the presence of Cu(II) plus micromolar concentrations of 2-OH-E2, and 4-OH-E2, in a concentration/time-dependent process. No strand breaks were detected in the presence of Cu(II) or 2-OH-E2 alone. The reaction of 2-OH-E2 with Cu(II) was accompanied by the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I), the utilization of O2, and the generation of H2O2. The utilization of O2 and the formation of strand breaks was completely blocked by the Cu(I)-specific chelator bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCS) at a ratio of BCS to Cu(II) of 4:1. The appearance of strand breaks was also blocked by catalase and inhibited by the singlet oxygen scavengers sodium azide and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone. In contrast the free hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol and N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone were not effective inhibitors; superoxide dismutase had no inhibitory effect. These results are similar to what has been observed by others for the formation of oxidative DNA damage by the H2O2/Cu(II) system and by us for the induction of strand breaks by hydroquinone/Cu(II). Since copper is known to be present in the nucleus, particularly in association with guanines in DNA, our results with 2-OH-E2/Cu(II) together with those of others with H2O2/Cu(II), discussed below, suggest an alternate site-specific mechanism for the formation of oxidative DNA damage associated with estrogen treatment. Furthermore, the results suggest that the oxidative damage results from the localized generation of singlet oxygen or a similar bound reactive entity rather than free hydroxyl radical.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is probable that the induction of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase and other phase 2 enzymes by oltipraz and other dithiolethiones is mediated entirely through the 41 bp enhancer element.
Abstract: 4-Methyl-5-pyrazinyl-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (oltipraz) and several other dithiolethiones protect against the acute toxicities of many xenobiotics and are effective inhibitors of experimental carcinogenesis. These protective effects are mediated, in part, through elevation of glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H: quinone reductase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities in the liver and other target tissues. The induction of these phase 2 enzymes by oltiprax results from enhanced transcription. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms of these inductions were analyzed utilizing a construct containing a 41 bp enhancer element derived from the 5'-upstream region of the mouse liver glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene ligated to the 5' end of the isolated promoter region of this gene, and inserted into a plasmid containing a human growth hormone reporter gene. When this construct was transfected into murine Hepa 1c1c7 hepatoma cells, the concentrations of 25 dithiolethiones and related analogs required to double growth hormone production were determined and spanned a range nearly three orders of magnitude. Concentrations of dithiolethiones required to double the specific activity of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase were also determined in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.78) between the potencies of the 21 active compounds as inducers of both NAD(P)H: quinone reductase activity and growth hormone production. Moreover, no dithiolethiones were inactive in only one system. It is probable, therefore, that the induction of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase and other phase 2 enzymes by oltipraz and other dithiolethiones is mediated entirely through the 41 bp enhancer element.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: 5-Chloromethylfurfural was found to be a strong hepatocarcinogen in infant male B6C3F1 mice and induced dose-dependent increases in the number of His+ revertants in Salmonella typhimurium TA100.
Abstract: Heat treatment of foods containing reducing sugars and amino acids during cooking or sterilization triggers a sequence of non-enzymatic reactions collectively known as the Maillard reaction. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), one of the major intermediate products in the Maillard reaction, has been found to possess cytotoxic, genotoxic and tumorigenic activities, but the mechanisms of its toxic actions remain unclear. Formation of an electrophilic allylic ester bearing a good leaving group such as sulfate has been proposed as a possible metabolic activation pathway for HMF. In order to further test this possibility, we compared the mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of HMF and its chemically synthesized sulfuric acid ester, 5-sulfooxymethylfurfural (SMF). SMF induced dose-dependent increases in the number of His+ revertants in Salmonella typhimurium TA100. This intrinsic mutagenicity of SMF was significantly inhibited by ascorbic acid added to the assay media. In the presence of chloride ions, the bacterial mutagenicity of the highly polar sulfuric acid ester of HMF may also be mediated by formation of a lipophilic chloromethyl derivative. When topically applied to mouse skin, both sulfooxymethyl and chloromethyl derivatives of HMF exhibited higher skin tumor initiating activity than the parent hydroxymethyl compound. 5-Chloromethylfurfural was found to be a strong hepatocarcinogen in infant male B6C3F1 mice.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effects of p-XSC on a mouse mammary carcinoma cell line were compared to those of sodium selenite, which has been shown to be growth inhibitory, and the induction of apoptosis by selenium compounds may partially account for their chemopreventive activity.
Abstract: The development of new compounds with greater cancer inhibitory activity and that are well tolerated continues to be a priority in chemoprevention research involving selenium. One compound, 1,-4-phenylene-bis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC), is representative of a series of organoselenium compounds with these characteristics. In this study, the effects of p-XSC on a mouse mammary carcinoma cell line were compared to those of sodium selenite, which has been shown to be growth inhibitory. Treatment with p-XSC caused a 3- to 6-fold greater accumulation of selenium within cells than did treatment with equivalent amounts of selenite and cells were able to better tolerate higher cellular levels of selenium derived from p-XSC. Both compounds resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in cell number after 24 h of exposure. Selenite and p-XSC also caused a dose-dependent increase in cell death by apoptosis. This effect was observed within 5 h of treatment. The effect of p-XSC on apoptosis was more pronounced than that of selenite, especially at the 20 microM level of exposure. The induction of apoptosis by selenium compounds may partially account for their chemopreventive activity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data indicate that a high fat diet in combination with a heterocyclic amine carcinogen derived from cooked meat may enhance the incidence and severity of mammary gland cancer.
Abstract: 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), a carcinogen found in cooked meat, was determined to be a mammary carcinogen in female Sprague-Dawley rats on a high fat diet. Forty-three-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats received 10 doses of PhIP (75 mg/kg, p.o., days 1-5 and 8-12). Two days after the last dose of PhIP, animals were placed on a high polyunsaturated fat diet (23.5% corn oil) or a standard low fat diet (5% corn oil). After 25 weeks on the defined diet, mammary tumor incidence (average tumor mass +/- SE) was 53% (5.7 +/- 1.3 g) and 16% (2.4 +/- 0.9 g) in rats on a high fat and standard low fat diet, respectively. The histological differences in mammary gland tumors found in animals on the standard low fat diet and the high fat diet were striking. Mammary gland tumors found in PhIP-treated rats on the low fat diet were all histologically benign. The histopathological changes in these tumors included hypertrophic changes resembling the normal mammary gland, fibrocystic changes, and sclerosing adenosis. However, 80% of the mammary gland tumors found in PhIP-treated rats on a high fat diet were histologically malignant. These tumors had several malignant phenotypes including intraductal carcinoma (papillary, cribriform, and comedotype), tubular adenocarcinoma, and infiltrating duct carcinoma. The data indicate that a high fat diet in combination with a heterocyclic amine carcinogen derived from cooked meat may enhance the incidence and severity of mammary gland cancer.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The increased expression of c-Jun and morphological changes observed at 24 h after treatment of JB6 cells with TPA (10 ng/ml) was inhibited by curcumin (10 nmol/ml), and the formation of TPA-induced anchorage-independent colonies that grow in soft agar by 31, 43 and 77%, respectively.
Abstract: Expression of c-jun protein (c-Jun) was observed in normally proliferating JB6 cells but not in confluent cells. Reduction of the serum concentration from 5% to 2% in the cell culture medium caused JB6 cells to enter a quiescent non-proliferating state and down-regulated the expression of c-Jun. Treatment of quiescent JB6 cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (10 ng/ml) for 24 h markedly stimulated the formation of c-Jun and caused morphological changes. Treatment of JB6 cells with TPA for 48 h resulted in transformed foci with mixed cell populations. Although some cells in these foci expressed high levels of c-Jun, many other cells did not. The increased expression of c-Jun and morphological changes observed at 24 h after treatment of JB6 cells with TPA (10 ng/ml) was inhibited by curcumin (10 nmol/ml). Treatment of JB6 cells with 2.5, 5 or 10 nmol curcumin/ml inhibited the formation of TPA-induced anchorage-independent colonies that grow in soft agar by 31%, 43% and 77%, respectively. Although inhibition of cell proliferation was not observed with 2.5 nmol curcumin/ml, higher concentrations did inhibit cell proliferation. Topical application of 5 nmol TPA to the backs of CD-1 mice once a day for 5 days caused epidermal hyperplasia and the levels of c-Jun were increased in the suprabasal layer of the epidermis and in the muscle layer of the dermis. This treatment also increased c-fos protein (c-Fos) expression in the muscle layer, but there was little or no increase in the expression of c-Fos in the basal or suprabasal layer of the epidermis. Topical application of 10 mumol curcumin together with 5 nmol TPA once a day for 5 days strongly inhibited TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia and c-Jun and c-Fos expression. A single application of 180 mJ/cm2 of ultraviolet B light (UVB) to the backs of SKH-1 mice caused epidermal hyperplasia and expression of c-Fos and c-Jun in the muscle layer of the dermis and of c-Fos in the suprabasal layer of the epidermis. Maximum effects were observed at 6 days after UVB exposure. Application of 10 mumol curcumin to mouse skin twice a day for 5 days immediately after UVB exposure had only a small/variable inhibitory effect on UVB-induced increases in the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun and on epidermal hyperplasia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence suggests that induction of apoptosis by SDG is not absolutely dependent on the p53 response pathway, and the methylated seleno-compounds may inhibit cell growth in a different manner from that of SDG or selenite.
Abstract: Selenodiglutathione (SDG), the initial metabolite of selenite, is shown to be a more powerful inhibitor of cell growth in vitro than selenite itself. This has been established both with mouse erythroleukaemia (MEL) cells and an ovarian cell line (A2780) which is known to contain wild-type p53. Other seleno-compounds, such as selenomethyl selenocysteine (SMS) and dimethyl selenoxide (DMS), which are potent chemopreventive agents and are known to be metabolized to methylated selenium derivatives directly rather than via SDG, are also growth inhibitory to both MEL and A2780 cells, although less so than SDG or selenite. However, cells growth-inhibited by DMS are more viable than cells growth-inhibited to the same extent by SDG or selenite, suggesting that the methylated seleno-compounds may inhibit cell growth in a different manner from that of SDG or selenite. Our studies of the mechanism of growth inhibition by SDG, have established two facts. First, SDG induces p53 protein levels in cells that contain wild-type p53 (A2780 cells), suggesting that SDG induces the DNA damage-recognition pathway. Secondly, SDG induces apoptosis in MEL cells, as judged by flow cytometry and formation of nucleosomal DNA ladders. However, since p53 mutations have been found to be targetted events in all MEL cells examined, our evidence suggests that induction of apoptosis by SDG is not absolutely dependent on the p53 response pathway.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A polymerase chain reaction-based assay demonstrated the existence of three GPX1 alleles characterized by the number of alanines in a polyalanine coding sequence in exon 1, and sequence analysis revealed that they encode structurally different hGPx1 subunits.
Abstract: The consistent deletion of 3p21 in lung cancer has led to intensive efforts to identify a lung tumor suppressor gene at this locus We recently mapped the gene for the selenium-dependent drug-detoxifying enzyme glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) to this location by in situ hybridization We developed a polymerase chain reaction-based assay which demonstrated the existence of three GPX1 alleles characterized by the number of alanines in a polyalanine coding sequence in exon 1 These three alleles produced a heterozygote frequency of 70% in two separate populations: normal tissue DNA taken from Centre d'Etude du Polmorphisme Humain (CEPH) parents and normal tissue taken from cancer patients In contrast, 10 heterozygote tumors were detected out of 64 lung cancer specimens Linkage analysis of GPX1 to Genethon 3p markers in CEPH pedigrees demonstrated that GPX1 was located between the two microsatellite markers believed to flank the lung cancer deletion site Nucleotide sequence analysis of GPX1 alleles did not reveal any mutations of this gene in lung tumors However, sequence analysis did reveal that the three GPX1 alleles were characterized by three nucleotide substitutions in addition to the polyalanine polymorphism, including a substitution at codon 198 which results in either a proline or leucine at that position Therefore, the different GPX1 alleles encode structurally different hGPx1 subunits In addition, analysis of allele frequency suggests that the GPX1*ALA7 allele may occur less frequently in tumors with 3p21 deletions

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Marmoset monkey may be a more suitable model than the cynomolgus monkey for carcinogenicity studies involving MeIQx and PhIP, but not IQ, and the hepatic metabolism of heterocyclic amines by CYP1A enzymes in the untreated marmoset monkeys resembles that in human more closely than that in man.
Abstract: The activation of heterocyclic amines to mutagenic products by hepatic microsomal fractions from cynomolgus monkey, marmoset monkey and man was compared with the respective levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1A2. The rate of activation of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) to mutagens by hepatic microsomal fraction from cynomolgus monkey was very low. This was associated with a lack of constitutive expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2. In contrast, human hepatic microsomal fraction readily activates these heterocyclic amines and this is associated with constitutive expression of CYP1A2. Treatment of cynomolgus monkey with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes a very modest induction of CYP1A2, and a small increase in the activation of MeIQx and IQ. However, there was marked induction of CYP1A1 which was accompanied by > 10-fold increases in PhIP activation and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities. Following treatment of cynomolgus monkey with 3-methylcholanthrene, induction of CYP1A1, but not CYP1A2, was evident. In untreated marmoset monkey the activations of MeIQx and PhIP, as well as phenacetin O-deethylase, EROD, MROD and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities, are similar to those in man, although the activations of IQ and coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity are lower than in man. The presence of constitutive CYP1A2, and the absence of CYP1A1, in the liver of this species correspond to the situation in man. Treatment of marmoset monkey with TCDD results in increased CYP1A2 levels (4-fold), accompanied by proportional increases in the activation of MeIQx and IQ and phenacetin O-deethylase, EROD and MROD activities. The activation of PhIP is increased disproportionately, by 8-fold, most likely due to the activity of CYP1A1 which is also induced by TCDD in this species. Overall, the hepatic metabolism of heterocyclic amines by CYP1A enzymes in the untreated marmoset monkey resembles that in human more closely than that in the cynomolgus monkey. Therefore, marmoset monkey may be a more suitable model than the cynomolgus monkey for carcinogenicity studies involving MeIQx and PhIP, but not IQ.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that the MN frequency in young males is significantly and positively correlated with plasma vitamin C levels but negatively correlated with Plasma vitamin B12 status, and in females the only significant correlation was an inverse relationship between MN frequency and the combined folate and vitamin B 12 plasma levels.
Abstract: The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay is increasingly being applied to the study of spontaneous or induced genetic damage in human lymphocytes, but little is known about dietary and other lifestyle factors that could influence this index. As part of a larger study investigating the role of dietary factors on baseline genetic damage in human lymphocytes from 152 non-smoking females and 113 non-smoking males evenly distributed between the ages of 20 and 87 years, we have measured (a) the micronucleus (MN) frequency and (b) the plasma level of the anti-oxidant vitamins C and E and the B vitamins folic acid and B12. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age (beta value = 0.598, P < 0.0001) was the most important factor influencing the variance of micronucleus frequency in females, while micronutrient levels had no apparent significant effects on genetic damage. In males age was also the predominant factor (beta value = 0.505, P < 0.0001) influencing genetic damage, but vitamin-C level also contributed positively and significantly to the observed MN frequency (beta value = 0.220, P < 0.0228). To avoid the potential confounding effect of collinearity between variables we also performed separate simple regression analysis for each plasma micronutrient in relation to age-adjusted micronucleus frequency; the results from this analysis again showed a significant and positive effect of plasma vitamin C on age-adjusted micronucleus frequency in males only (beta value = 0.188, P = 0.0503), while no effect was observed for the other micronutrients in both sexes. In view of the predominant age effect, we also focused on the data obtained in the youngest age groups of both sexes. In view of the predominant age effect, we also focused on the data obtained in the youngest age groups of both sexes (i.e. 20-30 years olds) and found (a) that the MN frequency in young males is significantly and positively correlated with plasma vitamin C levels (r = 0.823, P < 0.001) but negatively correlated with plasma vitamin B12 status (r = -0.799, P < 0.001) and (b) in females the only significant correlation was an inverse relationship between MN frequency and the combined folate and vitamin B12 plasma levels (r = -0.4632, P < 0.030).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A balance exists between the compensatory cell proliferation due to the hepatotoxicity induced by FB1 and the inhibitory effect on the subsequent hepatocyte cell proliferation which appears to be the reason why the fumonisins are slow cancer initiators.
Abstract: Dose response studies regarding the cancer initiating potential of fumonisin B1 (FB1) were conducted as a function of time. Feeding studies over 21 days indicated that FB1 induced a feed refusal effect in rats at dietary levels of 250, 500 and 750 mg FB1/kg diet. This effect was overcome after 14 days and the feed intake profiles reached a level which was equivalent to that of the controls after 21 days. Based on the feed intake records the effective dosage level (EDL) for cancer initiation over a period of 21 days is 14.2 < EDL < 30.8 mg FB1/100 g body wt. This is equivalent to a daily intake of 0.7 < EDL < 1.5 mg FB1/100 g body wt. Over a period of 14 days the amount of FB1 required for cancer initiation is 23.3 < EDL < 33.3 mg [corrected] FB1/100 g body wt. The latter values were markedly higher than the EDL values obtained in a gavage study where a fixed amount of FB1 was dosed to rats over 14 days (5.39 < EDL < 11.56 mg FB1/100 g body wt). The dietary level of FB1 required for cancer initiation is dependent on the duration of exposure as a dosage of 29.7 mg/100 mg body wt over 7 days did not initiate cancer whilst a similar dose (30.8 mg/100 body wt) over 21 days did. FB1 effectively delayed hepatocyte cell proliferation when fed at a dietary level of 250 mg FB1/kg (the lowest dietary level tested to effect cancer initiation over 21 days) or by a single gavage dose of 5 mg FB1/100 g body wt 6 h following partial hepatectomy. This inhibitory effect of FB1 on cell proliferation appears to be the reason why the fumonisins are slow cancer initiators. The present data suggest that a balance exists between the compensatory cell proliferation due to the hepatotoxicity induced by FB1 and the inhibitory effect on the subsequent hepatocyte cell proliferation. Therefore, a threshold level for cancer initiation exists which, as a function of time, will be determined by the dosage used and the subsequent inhibitory effect on cell proliferation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The positive clastogenic effects elicited in lymphoblastoid cells by tamoxifen epoxide suggest that the genotoxic (and possibly the carcinogenic) effects of tamoxIFen may be due to one or more epoxide metabolites that are generated intracellularly, probably in close proximity to the nucleus.
Abstract: The clastogenicity of tamoxifen and toremifene was tested in six human lymphoblastoid cell lines each expressing increased monooxygenase activity associated with a specific transfected human cytochrome P450 cDNA (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 or CYP3A4). The chemicals were also tested in a cell line (MCL-5) expressing elevated native CYP1A1 and containing transfected CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 and epoxide hydrolase, and in a cell line containing only the viral vector (Ho1). Dose-related increases in micronuclei were observed when cells expressing 2E1, 3A4, 2D6 or MCL-5 cells were exposed to tamoxifen. The positive responses in the cell lines were in the order MCL-5 > 2E1 > 3A4 > 2D6. Toremifene also gave positive results with 2E1, 3A4 and MCL-5 cells, although the responses were less marked and the positive effects required higher doses than with tamoxifen. A synthesized epoxide of tamoxifen was also tested in these cell lines and produced similar increases in the incidences of micronucleated cells. The increases in the responses observed with the epoxide were greater than with tamoxifen or toremifene. The P450 isoenzyme activities in these cells were in a range similar to those of human tumour-derived cell lines. Microsomes (1A1, 2A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2E1, 3A4 and 2D6) from these cells all metabolized tamoxifen. The major metabolite detected by HPLC was N-desmethyltamoxifen, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen was also detected in cells with cytochrome P450 2E1 and 2D6. These results are consistent with the following conclusions. (1) Tamoxifen requires metabolic activation to DNA-reactive species by specific CYP monooxygenases in order to exert its genotoxic effects. (2) The positive clastogenic effects elicited in lymphoblastoid cells by tamoxifen epoxide suggest that the genotoxic (and possibly the carcinogenic) effects of tamoxifen may be due to one or more epoxide metabolites that are generated intracellularly, probably in close proximity to the nucleus. (3) Tamoxifen is more genotoxic than toremifene.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The hypothesis that the GSTM1 null genotype is one of the genetic traits for smoking-related lung cancers, the risk of which, however, appears to be dependent on the extent of tobacco smoke exposure is supported.
Abstract: Recently, homozygous gene deletion of GSTM1, one of the Mu class glutathione S-transferase isozymes, was found to occur in approximately half of the population of various ethnic origins and has been implicated in tobacco-related carcinogenesis. In the present study we evaluated the risk of GSTM1 null genotype for lung cancer in relation to the extent of tobacco smoke exposure in 178 lung cancer patients (157 males, 21 females) and 201 healthy controls (140 males, 61 females), who were all Japanese and current smokers aged or = 1200) of smoking index (sigma (cigarettes smoked per day) x (years of smoking)], the proportion of GSTM1 null genotype was found to increase progressively in the squamous and small cell carcinoma groups from 42-50% (odds ratio 0.8-1.3) in the patients with smoking index or = 1200, while it was unrelated in the adenocarcinoma (50-55%, odds ratio 1.2-1.5) and in the control groups (42-48%). These results support the hypothesis that the GSTM1 null genotype is one of the genetic traits for smoking-related lung cancers, the risk of which, however, appears to be dependent on the extent of tobacco smoke exposure.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In both rats and mice, BD and BMO blood levels were at steady-state at 2, 3, 4 and 6 h of exposure, and declined rapidly after removal from exposure to BD, suggesting that the uptake of BD was saturable at the highest inhaled concentration.
Abstract: 1,3-Butadiene (BD), an important commodity chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber, is carcinogenic in B6C3F1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats, raising concern for potential carcinogenicity in humans. Mice are more sensitive than rats to the carcinogenic effects of BD. Metabolic activation of BD to form the putative DNA-reactive metabolites, butadiene monoxide (BMO) and butadiene diepoxide (BDE), is mediated by cytochrome P450. Detoxication of the epoxides occurs by glutathione S-transferase-catalyzed conjugation with glutathione and hydrolysis by epoxide hydrolase. Species differences in metabolic activation and detoxication most likely contribute to the difference in carcinogenic potency of BD by modulating the circulating blood levels of the epoxides. This study measured the in vivo concentrations of BD, BMO and BDE in the blood of male Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice during and following 6 h nose-only exposure to inhaled BD at 62.5, 625 or 1250 p.p.m. BD. Blood samples for BD and BMO (> or = 3 samples/time point) were collected at 2, 3, 4 and 6 h of exposure. Blood samples for BDE were collected at 3 and 6 h of exposure. After exposure, blood samples for BD, BMO and BDE were collected at 2-10 min intervals up to 30 min post-exposure. BD was quantified by gas chromatography using a vial headspace equilibration technique. BD epoxides were extracted into methylene chloride and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentration of BD in blood was not directly proportional to the inhaled concentration of BD, suggesting that the uptake of BD was saturable at the highest inhaled concentration. In both rats and mice, BD and BMO blood levels were at steady-state at 2, 3, 4 and 6 h of exposure, and declined rapidly after removal from exposure to BD. Steady-state blood concentrations of BD were 2.4, 37 and 58 microM in mice and 1.3, 18 and 37 microM in rats exposed to 62.5, 625 and 1250 p.p.m. BD respectively. Both species formed BMO from BD. In mice the respective steady-state BMO concentrations in blood were 0.6, 3.7 and 8.6 microM, compared to BMO blood concentrations in rats of 0.07, 0.94 and 1.3 microM. Mice, but not rats, had quantifiable levels of BDE in the blood. The peak concentrations of BDE in the blood of mice at 6 h were 0.65, 1.9 and 2.5 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)