Aldehyde adducts inhibit 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde-induced α-synuclein aggregation and toxicity: Implication for Parkinson neuroprotective therapy.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), the monoamine oxidase (MAO) metabolite of dopamine, plays a role in pathogenesis of Parkinson disease, inducing α-synuclein aggregation. DOPAL generates discrete α-synuclein aggregates. Inhibiting this aggregation could provide therapy for slowing Parkinson disease progression. Primary and secondary amines form adducts with aldehydes. Rasagiline and aminoindan contain these amine groups. DOPAL-induced α-synuclein aggregates were resolved in the presence and absence of rasagiline or aminoindan using quantitative Western blotting. DOPAL levels in incubation mixtures, containing increased rasagiline or aminoindan concentrations, were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Schiff base adducts between DOPAL and rasagiline or aminoindan were determined using mass spectrometry. A neuroprotective effect of rasagiline and aminoindan against DOPAL-induced toxicity was demonstrated using PC-12 cells. Rasagiline and aminoindan significantly reduced aggregation of α-synuclein of all sizes in test tube and PC-12 cells experiments. Dimethylaminoindan did not reduce aggregation. DOPAL levels in incubation mixtures were reduced with increasing rasagiline or aminoindan concentrations but not with dimethylaminoindan. Schiff base adducts between DOPAL and either rasagiline or aminoindan were demonstrated by mass spectrometry. A neuroprotective effect against DOPAL-induced toxicity in PC-12 cells was demonstrated for both rasagiline and aminoindan. Inhibiting DOPAL-induced α-synuclein aggregation through amine adducts provides a therapeutic approach for slowing Parkinson disease progression.

Characterization of new metabolites from in vivo biotransformation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in mouse by mass spectrometry.

In studying the metabolic pathways underlying the mechanism of carcinogenesis of the heterocyclic amine of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), we recently found a new metabolite which gave an [M + H](+) ion of m/z 217 when subjected to electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive-ion mode. Following i.p. injection of this metabolite of m/z 217 (designated as m/z 217) to beta-naphthoflavone-treated mice, 57% of the total radioactivity was recovered in a 24-h mouse urine sample. HPLC separation followed by MS analysis indicates that the urine sample contained m/z 217 (36 +/- 3% of total recovered radioactivity) and two other peaks that gave rise to the [M + H](+) ions of m/z 393 (31 +/- 4%, designated as m/z 393) and m/z 233 (14 +/- 1%, designated as m/z 233). Beta-glucuronidase treatment of m/z 393 resulted in a radioactive peak corresponding to m/z 217. ESI in combination with various mass spectrometry techniques, including multiple-stage mass spectrometry, exact mass measurements and H/D exchange followed by tandem mass spectrometry, was used for structural characterization. The urinary metabolites of m/z 217, 393 and 233 were identified as 1,2-dihydro-2-amino-5-hydroxy-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 1,2-dihydro-2-amino-5-O-glucuronide-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 1,2-dihydro-2-amino-5,7-dihydroxy-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, respectively. Our results demonstrated that m/z 217 is biotransformed in vivo to m/z 393 by O-glucuronidation and to m/z 233 by oxidation. The observation of these more polar metabolites relative to IQ suggests that they may arise from a previously undescribed detoxification pathway.

Activation of aminoimidazole carcinogens by nitrosation: mutagenicity and nucleotide adducts.

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline(MeIQx) are heterocyclic amines (HCAs) derived from high temperature cooking of meat and thought to cause colon cancer in humans. Reactive nitrogen oxygen species, which are mediators of the inflammatory response, can convert these amines to the corresponding N-nitrosamines, N-NO-IQ and N-NO-MeIQx. This study was designed to evaluate whether these N-nitrosamines are genotoxic and could be responsible, in part, for the high incidence of colon cancer in individuals with colitis. Such an association would counsel reduced intake of well-done red meat by colitis patients. Mutagenicity was evaluated by reversion of a lacZ frameshift allele in three different E. coli strains. Strains DJ701 and DJ702 express recombinant(S. typhimurium) aromatic amine N-acetyltransferase (NAT); DJ702 also expresses recombinant human cytochrome P450 1A2 and NADPH-P450 reductase; and DJ2002 served as an N-acetyltransferase negative control. In strain DJ701, N-NO-IQ and N-NO-MeIQx elicited dose-dependent mutagenicity,which was not further increased in DJ702. Neither nitrosamine was mutagenic in strain DJ2002. While both N-nitrosamines are stable for >4 h (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C), they react with DNA or 2'-deoxyguanosine 3'-monophosphate at lower pH (5.5) to form adducts. HOCl, a component of the inflammatory response,increased adduct formation, as measured by 32P-postlabeling. Following treatment with nuclease P1and separation by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography and then HPLC, N-NO-IQ and N-NOMeIQxwere shown to form the same adducts as those formed by N-OH-MeIQx or N-OH-IQ, namely N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl) adducts. In summary, these N-nitrosamines are genotoxic and might be alternatives to their hydroxylamine analogues as activated intermediates leading to initiation of colon cancer in individuals with colitis.

Identification of new 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline urinary metabolites from beta-naphthoflavone-treated mice.

Metabolism of the heterocyclic amine carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) was evaluated in mice with and without 40 mg/kg beta-naphthoflavone (BNF). Following an oral dose of 40 mg/kg (14)C-IQ, a 24-h urine sample was collected. Metabolism was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and metabolites were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Three new metabolites were identified as 1,2-dihydro-2-amino-5-hydroxy-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (m/z 217, [M + H](+)), 1,2-dihydro-2-amino-5-O-glucuronide-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (m/z 393, [M + H](+)), and 1,2-dihydro-2-amino-5,7-dihydroxy-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (m/z 233, [M + H](+)). These metabolites represented 21% of the total urinary radioactivity recovered. For BNF-treated mice, the abundance of metabolites observed was 5-O-glucuronide > m/z 217 > m/z 393 > 5-sulfate > m/z 233 > N-glucuronide > demethyl-IQ > sulfamate. In control mice, metabolite urinary abundance was 5-O-glucuronide > demethyl-IQ > sulfamate > N-glucuronide > m/z 217 > 5-sulfate. In liver slices from BNF-treated mice, synthesis of m/z 217 and 5-O-glucuronide was significantly reduced by ellipticine, a cytochrome P450 (P450) inhibitor, whereas sulfamate synthesis was significantly increased and demethyl-IQ was unchanged. Liver microsomes from BNF-treated mice produced m/z 217 and demethyl-IQ, with the former inhibited by ellipticine and furafylline, a selective 1A2 inhibitor, and the latter by ellipticine only. Injection (intraperitoneal) of demethyl-IQ into BNF-treated mice resulted in only a 30% conversion to three metabolites that were not observed in urine from animals receiving IQ. Results from BNF-treated mice showed significant IQ metabolism by hepatic P450s. Therefore, differences in metabolism between mice treated with and without BNF may affect IQ tumorigenicity.

N-Demethylation is a major route of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline metabolism in mouse.

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) metabolism was evaluated in mouse to better understand its tumorigenicity. Urinary metabolites from mice orally administered 40 mg/kg [(14)C]IQ were compared with those from similarly treated rats. The recovery of radioactivity was significantly greater in mouse urine. The relative proportion of metabolites was significantly different, and a new rodent metabolite was detected. For rat, the proportion of previously identified metabolites excreted was 5-O-glucuronide > sulfamate > 5-sulfate > N-glucuronide. In mouse urine, a new metabolite, demethyl-IQ, represented approximately 26% of IQ metabolism with the proportion of metabolites as follows: 5-O-glucuronide > demethyl-IQ > sulfamate > N-glucuronide > 5-sulfate. Mouse metabolites were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Demethyl-IQ was shown to be 2-aminoimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline. N-Acetyl-2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline was not detected with mice. Mouse liver slices produced 5-O-glucuronide, demethyl-IQ, and sulfamate with the former two being significantly reduced by ellipticine. Liver microsomes only produced demethyl-IQ. Ellipticine, a cytochrome P450 1A inhibitor, but not furafylline, an 1A2 selective inhibitor, prevented microsomal N-demethylation. Inhibitors had similar effects on 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation activity. Demethyl-IQ was not further metabolized by an intact mouse or liver microsomes. Thus, mouse IQ metabolism is significantly different from that in rat, and these differences may affect IQ tumorigenicity. N-Demethylation of IQ-like heterocyclic amines occurs in mouse, monkey, and human but not in rat.

Metabolism of a heterocyclic amine colon carcinogen in young and old rats.

The incidence of colon cancer increases with age, and this may be related to altered metabolism and disposition of carcinogens. One such carcinogen implicated in colon cancer is the heterocyclic amine found in well done meat, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). The purpose of these studies was to determine whether the disposition and metabolism of IQ changes with age, comparing young (3-month) and old (22- to 24-month) male F344 rats. Animals were treated with vehicle or beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), an inducer of drug-metabolizing cytochromes P450. Disposition and metabolism of IQ were determined after i.p. injection of radiolabeled IQ. Urinary IQ metabolites were identified and quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. In BNF-treated animals, total radiolabeled IQ excretion by old rats was less than half that of young rats. Binding of radiolabeled IQ metabolites by the old kidney was 10 times higher than that of the young. There were no age differences in intestinal and hepatic binding. There was a significant age-related increase in IQ conjugation to glucuronic acid and a decrease in conjugation to sulfate regardless of treatment. The induction of renal CYP1A1, a major P450 involved in IQ metabolism, by BNF did not change with age. Changes in IQ metabolism with age along with altered renal function may contribute to the decreased urinary excretion and increased renal binding of IQ and/or its metabolites seen in the old animals.

2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide potentiates nitrosation of a heterocyclic amine carcinogen by nitric oxide.

Although nitrosation plays an important role in initiation of carcinogenesis, the reactive nitrogen oxygen species (RNOS) mediating this reaction by multiple pathways have not been determined. The heterocyclic amine carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) was used as a target to investigate RNOS and pathways for potentiation of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated nitrosation. 2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (CPTIO) oxidizes NO to NO(2)(.) and was used as a tool to investigate NO(2)(.) potentiation of nitrosation. The IQ nitrosation product, 2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline ((14)C-N-NO-IQ), was monitored by HPLC. Autoxidation of NO, generated by spermine NONOate (2.4 microM NO/min) for 7.5 min, did not convert 10 microM (14)C-IQ to N-NO-IQ. However, the presence of 15 muM CPTIO resulted in 3 microM N-NO-IQ formation. Potentiation by CPTIO occurred at low and high fluxes of NO, 0.075 to 1.2 microM/min, and over a range of IQ to CPTIO ratios of 0.5 to 10. A significant portion of N-NO-IQ formation was insensitive to azide (10 mM) inhibition, suggesting oxidative nitrosylation. NADH (0.02 mM) did not alter nitrosation by autoxidation, but effectively inhibited potentiation by CPTIO. Ascorbic acid (0.2 mM) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (30 mM) inhibited nitrosation with or without CPTIO, while superoxide dismutase was not inhibitory. The RNOS produced by CPTIO had a 27-fold greater affinity for IQ than those produced by autoxidation. Results are consistent with NO(2)(.) or a RNOS like NO(2)(.) potentiating IQ oxidative nitrosylation. Nitrosation occurring at both low and high fluxes of NO can contribute to carcinogenesis.

Stability and reactivity of 2-nitrosoamino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline.

2-Nitrosoamino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (N-NO-MeIQx) is a nitrosation product of the food carcinogen 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and is proposed to form in vivo under inflammatory conditions. This study evaluated the stability and reactivity of N-NO-MeIQx to assess its possible role in the initiation of colon cancer by MeIQx. 14C-N-NO-MeIQx (4 microM) was incubated for 4 h over a range of pH values, and its stability was monitored by HPLC. At pH values from pH 7.4 to 9.0, N-NO-MeIQx was very stable with no detectable change observed. Glutathione (1 mM) did not alter stability at pH 7.4. As the pH decreased, this nitrosamine was less stable with only 48 +/- 1% remaining at pH 5.5 and none remaining at pH 3.5 or 2.0. Major products identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry were 3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline and 2-hydroxy-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline. MeIQx was a minor product. At pH 2.0, the t(1/2) for N-NO-MeIQx was reduced from 2.1 +/- 0.2 to 1.2 +/- 0.1 min with 10 mM NaN3. This effect of azide was due to the formation of 2-azido-MeIQx. The binding of 14C-N-NO-MeIQx to DNA increased with decreasing pH. The 10-fold increase in binding observed at pH 2.0 as compared to pH 5.5 was completely inhibited by 10 mM NaN3 due to 2-azido-MeIQx formation. The reactivity of N-NO-MeIQx was compared to N-OH-MeIQx by evaluating adduct formation with 2'-deoxyguanosine 3'-monophosphate (dGp) by 32P-postlabeling. N-OH-MeIQx formed a single major adduct, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-MeIQx (dG-C8-MeIQx). Incubation of N-NO-MeIQx under inflammatory conditions (pH 5.5 +/- HOCl) produced dG-C8-MeIQx along with 4-6 other adducts. dG-C8-MeIQx formation increased in the presence of HOCl. Liver from a MeIQx-treated mouse contained dG-C8-MeIQx and two other adducts detected with N-NO-MeIQx but not N-OH-MeIQx. These results suggest that N-NO-MeIQx could be genotoxic, is activated by conditions that mediate inflammatory responses, and is a possible cancer risk factor for individuals with inflammation of the colon.

Nitric oxide-mediated nitrosation of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline potentiated by hemin and myeloperoxidase.

N-Nitrosamines formed by nitrosation of heterocyclic amines might initiate colon cancer in individuals consuming well-done red meat diets and with inflammatory conditions in their colon. This study investigates nitric oxide (NO)-mediated nitrosation of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and the influence of dietary (hemin) and inflammatory [NO, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and H(2)O(2)] components on nitrosation. Using the NO donor spermine NONOate (1.2 microM NO/min) at pH 7.4 with 0.005 mM MeIQx, a product due to NO autoxidation was at the limit of detection (1% of total radioactivity recovered by HPLC). Product formation increased 13- or 16-fold in the presence of 10 microM hemin or 85 nM MPO, respectively, with an in situ system for generating H(2)O(2) (glucose oxidase/glucose). The nitrosation product and its chloro derivative were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and the product was determined to be 2-nitrosoamino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (N-NO-MeIQx). Nitrosation by NO autoxidation was only detected at > or =1.2 microM NO/min and was not affected by H(2)O(2). Investigations with hemin determined minimum effective components necessary for potentiation: 1 microM hemin, 1 microM H(2)O(2)/min, and 0.012 microM NO/min. The reactive nitrogen oxygen species (RNOS) produced by hemin and MPO had a 4- and 3-fold, respectively, greater affinity for MeIQx than those produced by NO autoxidation. Test agents were used to characterize nitrosation. Results with catalase, SOD, azide, and NADH are consistent with multiple RNOS, the lack of peroxynitrite involvement in nitrosation, and peroxidatic potentiation by oxidative nitrosylation rather than nitrosation. Using phorbol ester stimulated human neutrophils, the formation of N-NO-MeIQx and its modification by test agents was consistent with MPO and not peroxynitrite. Thus, nitrosation of MeIQx and its potentiation by hemin and MPO provide a mechanism by which well-done red meat consumption and inflammation can generate N-nitroso compounds and initiate colon cancer under inflammatory conditions, such as colitis.

2-Nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline activated by the inflammatory response forms nucleotide adducts.

Heterocyclic amines and inflammation have been implicated in the etiology of colon cancer. We have recently demonstrated that during autoxidation of the inflammatory mediator nitric oxide 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) undergoes nitrosation to form 2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (N-NO-IQ). This study evaluates the genotoxicity of N-NO-IQ and compares the adducts it forms to those of 2-hydroxyamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (N-OH-IQ). N-NO-IQ was incubated with 2'-deoxyguanosine 3'-monophosphate (dGp) under a variety of inflammatory conditions. 32P-Postlabeling demonstrated the presence of multiple adducts. Incubation of N-OH-IQ with dGp at pH 7.4, 5.5, or 2.0 resulted in the formation of a single major adduct, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-IQ (dG-C8-IQ). Using a combination of 32P-postlabeling, HPLC, and nuclease P1 treatment, N-NO-IQ was shown to produce dG-C8-IQ under several different conditions. HOCl oxidation of N-NO-IQ increased dG-C8-IQ formation, and this was further increased as pH decreased from 7.4 to 5.5. Oxidation of N-NO-IQ formed a new adduct, adduct 2, while in the absence of oxidants adduct m was the major adduct. Adducts 2 and m were not formed by N-OH-IQ and not further identified. The results demonstrate that N-NO-IQ forms N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-IQ, is genotoxic, is activated by conditions that mediate inflammatory responses, and is a possible cancer risk factor for individuals with colitis, inflammation of the colon.

Hemin potentiates nitric oxide-mediated nitrosation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) to 2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline.

Heme has been reported to be an important contributor to endogenous N-nitrosation within the colon and to the enhanced incidence of colon cancer observed with increased intake of red meat. This study uses the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) as a target to evaluate hemin potentiation of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated nitrosation. Formation of 14C-2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (N-NO-IQ) was monitored by HPLC following incubation of 10 microM IQ with the NO donor spermine NONOate (1.2 microM NO/min) at pH 7.4 in the presence or absence of hemin. N-NO-IQ formation due to autoxidation of NO was at the limit of detection (0.1 microM) and increased 22-fold in the presence of 10 microM hemin and an in situ system for generating H2O2 (glucose oxidase/glucose). A linear increase in N-NO-IQ formation was observed from 1 to 10 microM hemin. Significant nitrosamine formation occurred at fluxes of NO and H2O2 as low as 0.024 and 0.25 microM/min, respectively. Potentiation by hemin was not affected by a 400-fold excess flux of H2O2 over NO or a 4.8-fold excess flux of NO over H2O2. Reactive nitrogen species produced by hemin potentiation had a 46-fold greater affinity for IQ than those produced by autoxidation. Azide inhibited autoxidation, suggesting involvement of the nitrosonium ion, NO+. Hemin potentiation was inhibited by NADH, but not azide, suggesting oxidative nitrosylation with NO2* or a NO2*-like species. IQ and 2,3-diaminonaphthylene were much better targets for nitrosation than the secondary amine morpholine. Apc(min) mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis demonstrated increased levels of urinary nitrite and nitrate consistent with increased expression of iNOS and NO synthesis. As reported previously, identical conditions increased fecal N-nitroso compounds. Thus, hemin potentiation of NO-mediated nitrosation of heterocyclic amines provides a testable mechanism by which red meat consumption can generate N-nitroso compounds and initiate colon cancer under inflammatory conditions, such as colitis.

Myeloperoxidase potentiates nitric oxide-mediated nitrosation.

Nitrosation is an important reaction elicited by nitric oxide (NO). To better understand how nitrosation occurs in biological systems, we assessed the effect of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a mediator of inflammation, on nitrosation observed during NO autoxidation. Nitrosation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ; 10 mum) to 2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (N-NO-IQ) was monitored by HPLC. Using the NO donor spermine NONOate at pH 7.4, MPO potentiated N-NO-IQ formation. The minimum effective quantity of necessary components was 8.5 nm MPO, 0.25 mum H(2)O(2)/min, and 0.024 mum NO/min. Autoxidation was only detected at >/=1.2 mum NO/min. MPO potentiation was not affected by a 40-fold excess flux of H(2)O(2) over NO or less than a 2.4-fold excess flux of NO over H(2)O(2). Potentiation was due to an 8.8-fold increased affinity of MPO-derived nitrosating species for IQ. Autoxidation was inhibited by azide, suggesting involvement of the nitrosonium ion, NO(+). MPO potentiation was inhibited by NADH, but not azide, suggesting oxidative nitrosylation with NO(2)(.) or an NO(2)(.)-like species. MPO nonnitrosative oxidation of IQ with 0.3 mm NO(2)(-) at pH 5.5 was inhibited by azide, but not NADH, demonstrating differences between MPO oxidation of IQ with NO compared with NO(2)(-). Using phorbol ester-stimulated human neutrophils, N-NO-IQ formation was increased with superoxide dismutase and inhibited by catalase and NADH, but not NaN(3). This is consistent with nitrosation potentiation by MPO, not peroxynitrite. Increased N-NO-IQ formation was not detected with polymorphonuclear neutrophils from two unrelated MPO-deficient patients. Results suggest that the highly diffusible stable gas NO could initiate nitrosation at sites of neutrophil infiltration.

2-Nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline stability and reactivity.

N-Nitrosamines and nitrosamides can initiate cancer. These studies evaluated the stability and reactivity of 2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (N-NO-IQ) to assess its possible role in the initiation of colon cancer by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). (14)C-N-NO-IQ was incubated with different solvents and pHs in the presence and in the absence of nucleophiles and analyzed by HPLC. The products identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry include 2-chloro-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (2-Cl-IQ), 2,2'-azo-3,3'-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (AZO-IQ), 2-azido-IQ (2-N(3)-IQ), 3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (deamino-IQ), and IQ. A variety of organic solvents were tested with 0.1 N HCl. 2-Cl-IQ and IQ were formed following acidification of all solvents. AZO-IQ was only formed in methanol. Deamino-IQ was the major product formed in all of the alcohols tested, except for methanol. Under acidic conditions that completely convert N-NO-IQ in 5 min (acetonitrile with 0.1 N HCl), 62% of N-NO-IQ remains after 30 min if dimethyl sulfoxide is substituted for acetonitrile. N-NO-IQ was stable in the physiologic pH range of 5.5-9.0 and did not react with nucleophiles over a 4 h period at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. At acidic pH (pH < or =2.0) for 30 min and 37 degrees C, N-NO-IQ becomes labile forming electrophile(s), which combine with biologically relevant nucleophiles. The reaction of N-NO-IQ at pH 2.0 followed first-order kinetics (t(1/2) = 10 +/- 2 min) and was significantly increased in 10 mM NaN(3) (t(1/2) = 2 +/- 0.1 min). 2-N(3)-IQ was the major product observed in the latter incubation. N-NO-IQ binding to DNA at pH 2.0 is 100-fold more than that at pH 7.4. At pH 2.0, greater than 90% of the binding was inhibited by 10 mM NaN(3). Thus, N-NO-IQ forms a reactive electrophile(s) at acidic pH, which binds DNA. N-NO-IQ reaction products may depend on the pH and the hydrophobic milieu of cells or tissues.

Transformation and activation of benzidine by oxidants of the inflammatory response.

Aromatic amines, such as benzidine (BZ), initiate bladder cancer in humans. Inflammation/infection play an important role in this cancer. This study was designed to assess the influence of inflammatory oxidants, including reactive nitrogen oxygen species (RNOS), on BZ transformation and activation. RNOS were generated under various conditions and reacted with BZ, and the products were examined by HPLC. Conditions that generate nitrogen dioxide radical, NO(2)(-) + myeloperoxidase + H(2)O(2) and ONOO(-), produced primarily a single new product, which was identified by MS as azobenzidine (AZO-BZ). The myeloperoxidase-catalyzed reaction was inhibited by 1 mM cyanide and did not require NO(2)(-). Chloride (100 mM) reduced the myeloperoxidase reaction by 30% with taurine having little effect. In contrast, conditions that generate N(2)O(3), i.e., NO donor diethylamine (DEA) NONOate, produced two products, which were identified by MS as 4'-OH-4-aminobiphenyl (4'-OH-ABP) and 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP). 2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, an oxidant of NO thought to produce NO(2)(*), had a biphasic effect on product formation. At a concentration equal to DEA NONOate, a 5-fold increase in BZ nitrosation was observed, while at higher concentrations nitrosation was greatly diminished and formation of AZO-BZ occurred. Glutathione prevented RNOS transformation of BZ. With MPO and ONOO(-), a new product was formed that cochromatographed with 3-(glutathione-S-yl)BZ. Glutathione also prevented nitrosation of BZ but did not form additional BZ products. HOCl-mediated activation of BZ, 4'-OH-ABP, and ABP to bind DNA was assessed. A higher level of binding was observed at pH 5.5 than pH 7.4. BZ elicited the most binding. More binding was observed at both pH values with 4'-OH-ABP than ABP. Thus, components of the inflammatory response are capable of BZ transformation and activation.

Metabolism of N-acetylbenzidine and initiation of bladder cancer.

A 100-fold increased incidence of bladder cancer is observed with workers exposed to high levels of benzidine (BZ). This review evaluates the overall metabolism of BZ to determine pathways involved in initiation of carcinogenesis. Enzymatic and liver slice incubations demonstrated N-acetylation and N-glucuronidation of BZ and N-acetylbenzidine (ABZ). With rat, N,N'-diacetylbenzidine (DABZ) is the major slice metabolite. With human, ABZ is the major metabolite along with N-glucuronides. Differences between rat and human are attributed to preferential acetylation of BZ and deacetylation of DABZ, resulting in N-glucuronide formation by human liver. Glucuronidation of BZ and its analogues exhibited the following relative ranking of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) metabolism: UGT1A9>UGT1A4>>UGT2B7>UGT1A6 approximately UGT1A1. N-Glucuronides of BZ, ABZ, and N'-hydroxy-N-acetylbenzidine (N'HA) are acid labile with the latter having a much longer t(1/2) than the former two glucuronides. O-Glucuronides are not acid labile. In urine from BZ-exposed workers, an inverse relationship between urine pH and levels of free (unconjugated) BZ and ABZ is observed. This is consistent with the presence of labile urinary N-glucuronides. Cytochrome P-450 oxidizes BZ to an inactive product (3-OHz.sbnd;BZ) and ABZ to N'HA and N-hydroxy-N-acetylbenzidine (NHA). Cytochrome P-450, PHS, and horseradish peroxidase activate ABZ to bind DNA forming N'-(3'-monophospho-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-N-acetylbenzidine (dGp-ABZ). This is the major adduct detected in bladder cells from workers exposed to BZ. An inverse relationship exists between urine pH and levels of bladder cell dGp-ABZ. Bladder epithelium contains relatively high levels of prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) and low levels of cytochrome p-450, suggesting activation by PHS. Activation by PHS involves a peroxygenase oxidation of ABZ to N'HA, while horseradish peroxidase activates ABZ to a diimine monocation. Reactive nitrogen oxygen species (RNOS) offer a new pathway for metabolism and potential activation. Results suggest BZ initiation of bladder cancer is complex, involving multiple organs (i.e. liver, kidney, and bladder) and metabolic pathways (i.e. N-acetylation, N-glucuronidation, peroxidation, and RNOS).

Nitrosation and nitration of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline by reactive nitrogen oxygen species.

Both cooked red meat intake and chronic inflammation/infection are thought to play a role in the etiology of colon cancer. The heterocyclic amine 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f ]quinoline (IQ) is formed during cooking of red meat and may be involved in initiation of colon cancer. Reactive nitrogen oxygen species (RNOS), components of the inflammatory response, contribute to the deleterious effects attributed to inflammation on normal tissues. This study assessed the possible chemical transformation of IQ by RNOS. RNOS were generated by various conditions to react with (14)C-IQ, and samples were evaluated by HPLC. Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed reaction was dependent upon both H(2)O(2) and NO(2)(-). This reaction produced an azo-IQ dimer and IQ dimer along with two nitrated IQ products identified by ESI/MS. 2-Nitro-IQ was not detected. Product formation was inhibited by 2 mM cyanide. Reduction in nitrated products observed with 100 mM chloride was not altered with 0.5 mM taurine. Nitrated products were also produced by other conditions, ONOO(-) and NO(2)(-) + HOCl, which generate nitrogen dioxide radical. In contrast, conditions which generate N(2)O(3), such as diethylamine NONOate, produced only small amounts of nitrated products with the major product identified by MS and NMR as N-nitroso-IQ. MPO activation of IQ to bind DNA was dependent upon both H(2)O(2) and NO(2)(-). RNOS generated by ONOO(-) and DEA NONOate also activated IQ DNA binding. The nitrated IQ products were not activated by MPO to bind DNA. In contrast, N-nitroso-IQ was activated to bind DNA by MPO +/- NO(2)(-). HOCl activated N-nitroso-IQ, but not IQ. RAW cells produced N-nitroso-IQ and increased amounts of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-), when incubated with 0.1 mM IQ and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and interferon gamma. Results demonstrate chemical transformation and activation of IQ by RNOS and activation of its N-nitroso product by biological oxidants, events which may contribute to initiation of colon cancer.