Levels Of DNA Adduct Formation Research Articles

Evaluation of Interindividual Human Variation in Bioactivation and DNA Adduct Formation of Estragole in Liver Predicted by Physiologically Based Kinetic/Dynamic and Monte Carlo Modeling.

Estragole is a known hepatocarcinogen in rodents at high doses following metabolic conversion to the DNA-reactive metabolite 1'-sulfooxyestragole. The aim of the present study was to model possible levels of DNA adduct formation in (individual) humans upon exposure to estragole. This was done by extending a previously defined PBK model for estragole in humans to include (i) new data on interindividual variation in the kinetics for the major PBK model parameters influencing the formation of 1'-sulfooxyestragole, (ii) an equation describing the relationship between 1'-sulfooxyestragole and DNA adduct formation, (iii) Monte Carlo modeling to simulate interindividual human variation in DNA adduct formation in the population, and (iv) a comparison of the predictions made to human data on DNA adduct formation for the related alkenylbenzene methyleugenol. Adequate model predictions could be made, with the predicted DNA adduct levels at the estimated daily intake of estragole of 0.01 mg/kg bw ranging between 1.6 and 8.8 adducts in 10(8) nucleotides (nts) (50th and 99th percentiles, respectively). This is somewhat lower than values reported in the literature for the related alkenylbenzene methyleugenol in surgical human liver samples. The predicted levels seem to be below DNA adduct levels that are linked with tumor formation by alkenylbenzenes in rodents, which were estimated to amount to 188-500 adducts per 10(8) nts at the BMD10 values of estragole and methyleugenol. Although this does not seem to point to a significant health concern for human dietary exposure, drawing firm conclusions may have to await further validation of the model's predictions.

Abstract 826: DNA adducts induced by in vitro activation of diesel and biodiesel exhaust extracts

Abstract Petroleum diesel exhaust is a complex mixture containing many probable and known carcinogens. The development of biodiesel and biodiesel blends offers a renewable alternative to petroleum diesel, but few data are available concerning the carcinogenic potential of biodiesel exhausts. We compared the formation of covalent DNA adducts by the in vitro metabolic activation of organic extracts of diesel exhaust particles (DEP)from petroleum diesel and biodiesel. Two different petroleum diesel DEPs were examined (C-DEP and B0), as well as one biodiesel DEP (B100), and DEP resulting from combustion of a blend of 20% B100 and 80% B0 (B20), which is representative of commercially available biodiesel. Oxidative activation was performed in the presence of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) using rat liver microsomal fractions with required cofactors (S9), and nitroreductive activation was performed using xanthine oxidase (XO) and hypoxanthine in the presence of ctDNA. The modified DNA was hydrolyzed and analyzed by 32P-postlabeling using either butanol extraction or nuclease P1 pre-enrichment. Multiple DNA adducts were produced with chromatographic mobilities consistent with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and nitro-PAH adducts. The types and quantities of DNA adducts produced from two independent petroleum diesel DEPs were similar, with evidence of formation of both PAH- and nitroPAH- derived adducts. In contrast, the biodiesel DEP B100 induced higher total levels of DNA adducts in both activation systems. The lowest levels of DNA adduct formation were observed with B20 DEP. These results suggest that the DEP from available biodiesel blends (B20) pose lower risk for induction of DNA damage than petroleum diesel. This is an abstract or a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy. Citation Format: Jeffrey A. Ross, Garret B. Nelson, Esrta Mutlu, Sarah H. Warren, Matthews P. Peggy, M. Ian Gilmour, David M. DeMarini. DNA adducts induced by in vitro activation of diesel and biodiesel exhaust extracts. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 826. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-826

A review of the application of inflammatory biomarkers in epidemiologic cancer research.

Inflammation is a facilitating process for multiple cancer types. It is believed to affect cancer development and progression through several etiologic pathways, including increased levels of DNA adduct formation, increased angiogenesis, and altered antiapoptotic signaling. This review highlights the application of inflammatory biomarkers in epidemiologic studies and discusses the various cellular mediators of inflammation characterizing the innate immune system response to infection and chronic insult from environmental factors. Included is a review of six classes of inflammation-related biomarkers: cytokines/chemokines, immune-related effectors, acute-phase proteins, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, prostaglandins and cyclooxygenase-related factors, and mediators such as transcription factors and growth factors. For each of these biomarkers, we provide a brief overview of the etiologic role in the inflammation response and how they have been related to cancer etiology and progression within the literature. We provide a discussion of the common techniques available for quantification of each marker, including strengths, weaknesses, and potential pitfalls. Subsequently, we highlight a few under-studied measures to characterize the inflammatory response and their potential utility in epidemiologic studies of cancer. Finally, we suggest integrative methods for future studies to apply multifaceted approaches to examine the relationship between inflammatory markers and their roles in cancer development.

A Physiologically Based in Silico Model for trans-2-Hexenal Detoxification and DNA Adduct Formation in Rat

trans-2-Hexenal (2-hexenal) is an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde that occurs naturally in a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and spices. 2-Hexenal as well as other α,β-unsaturated aldehydes that are natural food constituents or flavoring agents may raise a concern for genotoxicity due to the ability of the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde moiety to react with DNA. Controversy remains, however, on whether α,β-unsaturated aldehydes result in significant DNA adduct formation in vivo at realistic dietary exposure. In this study, a rat physiologically based in silico model was developed for 2-hexenal as a model compound to examine the time- and dose-dependent detoxification and DNA adduct formation of this selected α,β-unsaturated aldehyde. The model was developed based on in vitro and literature-derived parameters, and its adequacy was evaluated by comparing predicted DNA adduct formation in the liver of rats exposed to 2-hexenal with reported in vivo data. The model revealed that at an exposure level of 0.04 mg/kg body weight, a value reflecting estimated daily human dietary intake, 2-hexenal is rapidly detoxified predominantly by conjugation with glutathione (GSH) by glutathione S-transferases. At higher dose levels, depletion of GSH results in a shift to 2-hexenal oxidation and reduction as the major pathways for detoxification. The level of DNA adduct formation at current levels of human dietary intake was predicted to be more than 3 orders of magnitude lower than endogenous DNA adduct levels. These results support that rapid detoxification of 2-hexenal reduces the risk arising from 2-hexenal exposure and that at current dietary exposure levels, DNA adduct formation is negligible.

Quantitative comparison between in vivo DNA adduct formation from exposure to selected DNA-reactive carcinogens, natural background levels of DNA adduct formation and tumour incidence in rodent bioassays

This study aimed at quantitatively comparing the occurrence/formation of DNA adducts with the carcinogenicity induced by a selection of DNA-reactive genotoxic carcinogens. Contrary to previous efforts, we used a very uniform set of data, limited to in vivo rat liver studies in order to investigate whether a correlation can be obtained, using a benchmark dose (BMD) approach. Dose-response data on both carcinogenicity and in vivo DNA adduct formation were available for six compounds, i.e. 2-acetylaminofluorene, aflatoxin B1, methyleugenol, safrole, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline and tamoxifen. BMD(10) values for liver carcinogenicity were calculated using the US Environmental Protection Agency BMD software. DNA adduct levels at this dose were extrapolated assuming linearity of the DNA adduct dose response. In addition, the levels of DNA adducts at the BMD(10) were compared to available data on endogenous background DNA damage in the target organ. Although for an individual carcinogen the tumour response increases when adduct levels increase, our results demonstrate that when comparing different carcinogens, no quantitative correlation exists between the level of DNA adduct formation and carcinogenicity. These data confirm that the quantity of DNA adducts formed by a DNA-reactive compound is not a carcinogenicity predictor but that other factors such as type of adduct and mutagenic potential may be equally relevant. Moreover, comparison to background DNA damage supports the notion that the mere occurrence of DNA adducts above or below the level of endogenous DNA damage is neither correlated to development of cancer. These data strongly emphasise the need to apply the mode of action framework to understand the contribution of other biological effect markers playing a role in carcinogenicity.

A physiologically based biodynamic (PBBD) model for estragole DNA binding in rat liver based on in vitro kinetic data and estragole DNA adduct formation in primary hepatocytes

Estragole has been shown to be hepatocarcinogenic in rodent species at high-dose levels. Translation of these results into the likelihood of formation of DNA adducts, mutation, and ultimately cancer upon more realistic low-dose exposures remains a challenge. Recently we have developed physiologically based biokinetic (PBBK) models for rat and human predicting bioactivation of estragole. These PBBK models, however, predict only kinetic characteristics. The present study describes the extension of the PBBK model to a so-called physiologically based biodynamic (PBBD) model predicting in vivo DNA adduct formation of estragole in rat liver. This PBBD model was developed using in vitro data on DNA adduct formation in rat primary hepatocytes exposed to 1′-hydroxyestragole. The model was extended by linking the area under the curve for 1′-hydroxyestragole formation predicted by the PBBK model to the area under the curve for 1′-hydroxyestragole in the in vitro experiments. The outcome of the PBBD model revealed a linear increase in DNA adduct formation with increasing estragole doses up to 100 mg/kg bw. Although DNA adduct formation of genotoxic carcinogens is generally seen as a biomarker of exposure rather than a biomarker of response, the PBBD model now developed is one step closer to the ultimate toxic effect of estragole than the PBBK model described previously. Comparison of the PBBD model outcome to available data showed that the model adequately predicts the dose-dependent level of DNA adduct formation. The PBBD model predicts DNA adduct formation at low levels of exposure up to a dose level showing to cause cancer in rodent bioassays, providing a proof of principle for modeling a toxicodynamic in vivo endpoint on the basis of solely in vitro experimental data.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce oxidative stress and DNA-adduct formation but not DNA-breakage in human lung cells

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), also known as titanium (IV) oxide or anatase, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium. It is also one of the most commercially used form. To date, no parameter has been set for the average ambient air concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) by any regulatory agency. Previously conducted studies had established these nanoparticles to be mainly non-cyto- and -genotoxic, although they had been found to generate free radicals both acellularly (specially through photocatalytic activity) and intracellularly. The present study determines the role of TiO2-NP (anatase, ∅ < 100 nm) using several parameters such as cyto- and genotoxicity, DNA-adduct formation and generation of free radicals following its uptake by human lung cells in vitro. For comparison, iron containing nanoparticles (hematite, Fe2O3, ∅ < 100 nm) were used. The results of this study showed that both types of NP were located in the cytosol near the nucleus. No particles were found inside the nucleus, in mitochondria or ribosomes. Human lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) were more sensitive regarding cyto- and genotoxic effects caused by the NP than human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). In contrast to hematite NP, TiO2-NP did not induce DNA-breakage measured by the Comet-assay in both cell types. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured acellularly (without any photocatalytic activity) as well as intracellularly for both types of particles, however, the iron-containing NP needed special reducing conditions before pronounced radical generation. A high level of DNA adduct formation (8-OHdG) was observed in IMR-90 cells exposed to TiO2-NP, but not in cells exposed to hematite NP. Our study demonstrates different modes of action for TiO2- and Fe2O3-NP. Whereas TiO2-NP were able to generate elevated amounts of free radicals, which induced indirect genotoxicity mainly by DNA-adduct formation, Fe2O3-NP were clastogenic (induction of DNA-breakage) and required reducing conditions for radical formation.

The carcinogenic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone induces GC to TA transversion mutations in human p53 sequences

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and a suspected human carcinogen present in particulate matter of diesel exhaust and ambient air pollution. Employing an assay with human p53 knock-in (Hupki) murine embryonic fibroblasts (HUFs), we examined p53 mutations induced by 3-NBA and its active metabolite, N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-3-ABA). Twenty-nine immortalized cultures (cell lines) from 89 HUF primary cultures exposed at passage 1 for 5 days to 2 microM 3-NBA harboured 22 different mutations in the human DNA-binding domain sequence of the Hupki p53 tumour suppressor gene. The most frequently observed mutation was GC to TA transversion (46%), corroborating previous mutation studies with 3-NBA, and consistent with the presence of persistent 3-NBA-guanosine adducts found in DNA of exposed rodents. Six of the transversions found solely in 3-NBA-treated HUFs have not been detected thus far in untreated HUFs, but have been found repeatedly in human lung tumours. (32)P-post-labelling adduct analysis of DNA from HUF cells treated with 2 microM 3-NBA for 5 days showed a pattern similar to that found in vivo, indicating the metabolic competence of HUF cells to metabolize 3-NBA to electrophilic intermediates. Total DNA binding was 160 +/- 56 per 10(7) normal nucleotides with N(2)-guanosine being the major adduct. In contrast, identical treatment with N-OH-3-ABA resulted in a 100-fold lower level of specific DNA adducts and no carcinogen-specific mutation pattern in the Hupki assay. This indicates that the level of DNA adduct formation by the mutagen is critical to obtain specific mutation spectra in the assay. Our results are consistent with previous experiments in Muta Mouse and are compatible with the possibility that diesel exhaust exposure contributes to mutation load in humans and to lung cancer risk.

Mutagenicity and DNA Adduct Formation by the Urban Air Pollutant 2-Nitrobenzanthrone

2-Nitrobenzanthrone (2-NBA) has recently been detected in ambient air particulate matter. Its isomer 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust. The highest mutagenic activity of 2-NBA tested in Salmonella typhimurium was exhibited in strain TA1538-hSULT1A1 expressing human sulfotransferase (SULT) 1A1. 2-NBA also induced mutations in Chinese hamster lung V79 cells expressing human N-acetyltransferase 2 or SULT1A1, but no mutagenicity was observed in the parental cell line. DNA adduct formation in vitro was examined in different human cell lines by thin-layer chromatography (32)P-postlabeling. Whereas 3-NBA formed characteristic DNA adducts in lung A549, liver HepG2, colon HCT116, and breast MCF-7 cells, 2-NBA-derived DNA adducts were only observed in A549 and HepG2 cells, indicating differences in the bioactivation of each isomer. The pattern of 2-NBA-derived DNA adducts in both cell lines consisted of a cluster of up to five adducts. In HepG2 cells DNA binding by 2-NBA was up to 14-fold lower than by 3-NBA. DNA adduct formation of 2-NBA was also investigated in vivo in Wistar rats treated with a single dose of 2, 10, or 100 mg/kg body weight (bw). No DNA adduct formation was detected at doses of up to 10 mg/kg bw 2-NBA, even though 3-NBA induced DNA adducts at a dose of 2 mg/kg bw. Only after administration of one high dose of 100 mg/kg bw 2-NBA was a low level of DNA adduct formation detected, and then only in lung tissue. Density functional theory calculations for both NBAs revealed that the nitrenium ion of the 3-isomer is considerably more stable ( approximately 10 kcal/mol) than that of the 2-isomer, providing a possible explanation for the large differences in DNA adduct formation and mutagenicity between 2- and 3-NBA.

Lung cancer in US women: a contemporary epidemic.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in US women and is responsible for as many deaths as breast cancer and all gynecological cancers combined. Most lung cancer is caused by cigarette smoke. Despite all that is known about the devastating effects of cigarettes, one quarter of women in the United States continue to smoke. Women are targeted in tobacco advertising, and teenage girls are often drawn to cigarette smoking under a variety of social pressures. Following the increase in smoking, the death rate from lung cancer in US women rose 600% from 1930 to 1997. Women may be more susceptible than men to the carcinogenic properties of cigarette smoke. In addition, differences in the biology of lung cancer exist between the 2 sexes with higher levels of DNA adduct formation, increased CYP1A1 expression, decreased DNA repair capacity, and increased incidence of K-ras gene mutations in women. The novel estrogen receptor beta has also been detected in lung tumors and suggests that estrogen signaling may have a biological role in tumorigenesis. Given these differences and given the enormous toll this disease has on US women, undertaking sex-specific research in lung cancer is crucial. Finally, disseminating information about this epidemic may prevent a similar epidemic in other parts of the world where women are just now becoming addicted to tobacco.

Formation of DNA adducts from oil-derived products analyzed by 32 P-HPLC

The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic potential of DNA adducts and to compare DNA adduct levels and patterns in petroleum vacuum distillates, coal tar distillate, bitumen fume condensates, and related substances that have a wide range of boiling temperatures. An in vitro assay was used for DNA adduct analysis with human and rat S-9 liver extract metabolic activation followed by 32P-postlabeling and 32P-high-performance liquid chromatography (32p-HPLC). For petroleum distillates originating from one crude oil there was a correlation between in vitro DNA adduct formation and mutagenic index, which showed an increase with a distillation temperature of 250 degrees C and a peak around a distillation point of approximately 400 degrees C. At higher temperatures, the genotoxicity (DNA adducts and mutagenicity) rapidly declined to very low levels. Different petroleum products showed a more than 100-fold range in DNA adduct formation, with severely hydrotreated base oil and bitumen fume condensates being lowest. Coal tar distillates showed ten times higher levels of DNA adduct formation than the most potent petroleum distillate. A clustered DNA adduct pattern was seen over a wide distillation range after metabolic activation with liver extracts of rat or human origin. These clusters were eluted in a region where alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons could be expected. The DNA adduct patterns were similar for base oil and bitumen fume condensates, whereas coal tar distillates had a wider retention time range of the DNA adducts formed. Reference substances were tested in the same in vitro assay. Two- and three-ringed nonalkylated aromatics were rather low in genotoxicity, but some of the three- to four-ringed alkylated aromatics were very potent inducers of DNA adducts. Compounds with an amino functional group showed a 270-fold higher level of DNA adduct formation than the same structures with a nitro functional group. The most potent DNA adduct inducers of the 16 substances tested were, in increasing order, 9,10-dimethylanthracene, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and 9-vinylanthracene. Metabolic activation with human and rat liver extracts gave rise to the same DNA adduct clusters. When bioactivation with material from different human individuals was used, there was a significant correlation between the CYP 1A1 activity and the capacity to form DNA adducts. This pattern was also confirmed using the CYP 1A1 inhibitor ellipticine. The 32P-HPLC method was shown to be sensitive and reproducible, and it had the capacity to separate DNA adduct-forming substances when applied to a great variety of petroleum products.

Genotoxicity and embryotoxicity of urban air particulate matter collected during winter and summer period in two different districts of the Czech Republic

This study is the in vitro part of a long-term program to investigate the impact of air pollution on the health of a population in a polluted region of Northern Bohemia. In order to assess the possible health risks associated with a complex mixture of hundreds of organic compounds adsorbed to air particles, we used a biomarker-directed fractionation procedure to evaluate biological activities of different chemical compound classes. The extractable organic compounds from the air particles collected in both the polluted and the control districts during the summers and winters of 1993–1994 were investigated. The principal aim of this study was to compare the DNA binding activities of those compound classes using an in vitro acellular assay coupled with 32 P -postlabeling and an embryotoxicity assay using Chick Embryotoxicity Screening Test (CHEST). In both assays, the highest activity was due to the neutral fractions from which the aromatic subfractions containing mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their methyl-derivates were the most active for both localities and seasons. A good correlation between the levels of DNA adduct formation using S9 metabolic activation and the ED50 for all different complex mixtures of organic compounds was observed ( r=0.773, p<0.001). DNA adduct maps and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles were similar for samples from both districts and seasons. The major DNA adducts resulting from the crude extracts were identical to those derived from aromatic fractions. The DNA adducts tentatively identified constituted about 50% of the total adducts formed by the crude extracts following S9-metabolic activation. Our results confirmed the similarities of the major ubiquitous emission sources of organic compounds in both districts. This is the first report in which the biological activities of complex mixtures in short-term assays with remarkably different endpoints such as DNA adduct formation and embryotoxicity have been compared.

DNA adduct formation from the mutagenic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone

The environmental contaminant 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[d,e]anthracen-7-one) was recently shown to be a very strong bacterial mutagen, suggesting a new class of mutagenic compounds present in airborne particulate matter and diesel exhaust. Using the 32P-postlabeling assay, we investigated the capacity for 3-nitrobenzanthrone to form DNA adducts in vitro. Calf thymus DNA was incubated with 3-nitrobenzanthrone and either xanthine oxidase, a mammalian nitroreductase or rat liver S9 or zinc. Under these conditions 3-nitrobenzanthrone formed a total of seven adducts detectable by 32P-postlabeling. Using enrichment by butanol extraction the highest level of DNA adduct formation was found with activation by zinc (RAL: 88.4±32 per 108 nucleotides) followed by activation with xanthine oxidase (RAL: 75.5±12) and activation by rat liver S9 (RAL: 48.6±8). Three of the seven adduct spots were detected in all activation systems, however different amounts of individual spots were obtained in the different in vitro systems. The adduct pattern observed for the enzymatic incubations consisted of three major spots and was essentially identical. Chemical reduction of 3-nitrobenzanthrone by zinc resulted in five adduct spots whose formation was found to be concentration dependent. All adducts of 3-nitrobenzanthrone observed in this study migrated primarily along a diagonal zone, typical for DNA adducts derived from extracts of airborne particulate matter. When butanol enrichment was compared with nuclease P1 enrichment one adduct was clearly sensitive to the 3′-monophosphatase activity of nuclease P1. Our results demonstrate that 3-nitrobenzanthrone binds covalently to DNA after metabolic activation, forming multiple DNA adducts in vitro all of which are reduction products. These adducts may contribute to the known genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of extracts from airborne particulates.

The metabolic activation of tamoxifen and alpha-hydroxytamoxifen to DNA-binding species in rat hepatocytes proceeds via sulphation.

The biotransformation pathway of tamoxifen and alpha-hydroxytamoxifen to DNA-binding species was investigated in rat hepatocytes in vitro. Rat hepatocytes were isolated by in situ collagenase perfusion and then maintained in sulphate-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. Magnesium sulphate was added to the medium to give concentrations of 0-10 microM, prior to treatment for 18 h with solvent vehicle (DMSO), tamoxifen (10 microM), alpha-hydroxytamoxifen (1 microM) or benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (10 and 50 microM). DNA was isolated and analysed by 32P-post-labelling. For tamoxifen and alpha-hydroxytamoxifen, the level of DNA adduct formation was directly proportional to the concentration of sulphate in the medium. Between 0 and 10 microM MgSO4, the DNA adduct level increased 10-fold with both compounds. Rat hepatocytes were also maintained in normal Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and pretreated with dehydroisoandrosterone-3-sulphate (DHEAS, a sulphotransferase inhibitor) at concentrations ranging from 0-1 mM, prior to treatment with solvent vehicle (DMSO), tamoxifen (10 microM), alpha-hydroxytamoxifen (1 microM) or BaP (50 microM). For tamoxifen and alpha-hydroxytamoxifen the level of DNA adducts was reduced to approximately one-fifth by the addition of DHEAS (0.1 mM). BaP-DNA adduct formation, which proceeds by a pathway that does not require sulphation, was not significantly affected by sulphate concentration or by addition of DHEAS, which demonstrates that the general metabolic capacity and viability of the hepatocytes were not compromised. It is concluded that the activation of tamoxifen in rat liver cells to DNA binding products proceeds predominantly through hydroxylation followed by sulphate ester formation at the alpha-position of the ethyl side chain.

In vivo formation of aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells of rat liver.

The induction of hepatocellular carcinoma from liver parenchymal cells in laboratory animals by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is well documented. In contrast no tumours arising from the sinusoidal cell population have been reported after exposure to AFB1. The apparent resistance of the latter cell type was investigated at the level of DNA adduct formation in vivo in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cell populations were isolated from rats at 20 min and 1, 24 and 72 h after administration of 240 microCi (0.6 mg) [G-3H]AFB1/kg. AFB1-DNA binding was observed in both liver cell subpopulations and was 3- to 5-fold higher in parenchymal cells than in non-parenchymal cells. The major DNA adduct found in parenchymal cells at 1 h after AFB1 administration was 8,9-dihydro-8-(N7-guanyl)-9-hydroxyaflatoxin B1 (AFB1-gua), whereas at later time points the persistent secondary adduct, AFB1-formamidopyrimidine, predominated. In contrast, AFB1-gua was not observed at any time in DNA from non-parenchymal cells and the secondary adducts predominated throughout. These observations are discussed with reference to the susceptibility of different liver cell types to AFB1-carcinogenesis and the possible roles of the major AFB1-DNA adduct species.

Synergistic effects on the initiation of rat liver tumors by trans-4-acetylaminostilbene and 2-acetylaminofluorene, studied at the level of DNA adduct formation.

Both trans-4-acetylaminostilbene (AAS) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) exert tumor-initiating activity in rat liver when administered in the initiation phase of an initiation-promotion experiment. The effects are more than additive when the compounds are sequentially combined in the initiation phase of such an experiment, and this synergism is more pronounced when AAS is given first, followed by AAF, than vice versa. In order to determine the role of target DNA dose, [3H]AAS and [14C]AAF were administered to female Wistar rats adhering to the protocol of the initiation phase of the above-mentioned experiment and the following parameters measured at the end of this phase: total radioactivity in tissues, binding to DNA, RNA and proteins in liver, adduct pattern in liver DNA and RNA. In neither combination were these parameters significantly different from those in the appropriate controls in which only one of the compounds was administered. This result indicates that combining the substances did not alter the pharmacokinetics of the individual compounds and that the target dose is additive. This suggests that effects unrelated to DNA binding, possibly promoting effects, may cause the more than additive generation of preneoplastic lesions in rat liver.