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Abstract

Carcinogenicity of the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which is produced by Aspergillus fungi, is associated with bioactivation of AFB1 to AFB1-8,9-exo-epoxide and formation of DNA adducts. However, AFB1 also causes 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formation in mouse lung DNA, suggesting that oxidative DNA damage may also contribute to AFB1 carcinogenicity. The oxidative DNA damage 5-hydroxy-2′-deoxycytidine (5-OHdC) may also contribute to AFB1 carcinogenicity. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of treatment of mice with AFB1 on pulmonary and hepatic: 8-OHdG and 5-OHdC levels; base excision repair (BER, which repairs oxidative DNA damage) activities; and on levels of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1, the rate-limiting enzyme in the BER of 8-OHdG). Female A/J mice were treated with vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) or 50 mg/kg AFB1 ip. Oxidative DNA damage was measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection, BER activity was assessed using an in vitro assay that employs a substrate plasmid DNA with 8-OHdG lesions, and OGG1 protein levels were determined by immunoblotting. Two hours post treatment, AFB1 increased 8-OHdG levels in mouse lung DNA by approximately 69% relative to control (p < 0.05), but did not alter 8-OHdG levels in liver or 5-OHdC levels in lung or liver (p > 0.05). AFB1 treatment also increased BER activity in mouse lung by approximately 87% (p < 0.05) but did not affect hepatic BER activity (p > 0.05). Levels of OGG1 immunoreactive protein were increased in both lung (20%) and liver (60%) (p < 0.05). These results are consistent with oxidative DNA damage contributing to the carcinogenicity of AFB1 in this model.