Metabolic transformation of DMBA-induced carcinogenesis and inhibitory effect of salvianolic acid b and breviscapine treatment.

Oral cancer typically develops from hyperplasia through dysplasia to carcinoma with a multistep process of carcinogenesis involving genetic alterations resulting in aberrant cellular appearance, deregulated cell growth, and carcinoma. The metabolic transformation during the process of oral carcinogenesis and its implications for cancer therapy have not been extensively investigated. Here, we report a metabonomic study on a classical model of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced oral carcinogenesis in hamsters to delineate characteristic metabolic transformation during the carcinogenesis using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS). Salvianolic acid B (Sal-B), isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, and Breviscapine, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Erigerontis, were used to treat the hamsters exposed to DMBA to investigate the molecular mechanism of the inhibitory effect of the two agents on oral carcinogenesis. The dynamic changes of serum metabolic profiles indicated that both Sal-B and Breviscapine were able to attenuate DMBA-induced metabolic perturbation, which is consistent with the histopathological findings that Sal-B and Breviscapine significantly decreased the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) incidence in the two treatment groups. Significant alterations of key metabolic pathways, including elevated glutaminolysis and glycolysis, and decreased cholesterol and myo-inositol metabolism, were observed in the DMBA-induced model group, which were attenuated or normalized by Sal-B or Breviscapine treatment. Elevated inflammation and tumor angiogenesis at gene and metabolite expression levels were also observed in DMBA-induced oral dysplasia and SCC but were attenuated or normalized by Sal-B and Breviscapine along with significantly decreased incidences of SCC formation.

Spanish black radish (Raphanus sativus L. Var. niger) diet enhances clearance of DMBA and diminishes toxic effects on bone marrow progenitor cells.

Vegetables of the Cruciferae family contain high levels of glucosinolates, metabolites of which are believed to enhance detoxification. Spanish black radishes (SBR) contain 4× more glucosinolates than other crucifers. This study examined whether feeding mice a diet containing 20% SBR for 2 wk could enhance metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and inhibit DMBA-mediated bone marrow toxicity. Expression of Phase I and II detoxification enzymes was significantly greater for mice fed SBR than control diet. Six hours after DMBA administration, the blood levels of DMBA in mice fed the SBR diet were significantly lower than mice fed a control diet. DMBA reduced bone marrow cells in mice fed control diet to a significantly greater extent than mice fed the SBR diet. Colony forming assays demonstrated that mice on the SBR diet had 1) less reduction in lymphoid CFU-preB progenitor cells, 2) greater recovery of CFU-preB progenitor cells at 168 h, and 3) less reduction of CFU-GM progenitor cells at 6 h. Therefore, mice fed a 20% SBR diet for 2 wk had greater expression of detoxification enzymes, faster metabolism of DMBA, and a reduction in DMBA-induced bone marrow toxicity. Overall, these results support the hypothesis that glucosinolates in SBR are protective against acute toxicity.

In vitro antioxidative potential of lactoferrin and black tea polyphenols and protective effects in vivo on carcinogen activation, DNA damage, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis during experimental oral carcinogenesis.

The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) and black tea polyphenols [Polyphenon-B (P-B)] as well as in vivo inhibitory effects on the development of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinomas. Antioxidant activity was screened using a panel of assays including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), hydroxyl radical anion (OH*), superoxide anion (O2*-), and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging assays as well as assay for reducing power. The chemopreventive potential of bLF and P-B was assessed in the HBP model based on the modulatory effects on DMBA-induced oxidative DNA damage as well as the expression of proteins associated with carcinogen activation (CYP1A1, CYP1B1), cell proliferation [cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-P)], angiogenesis [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1)], and invasion and metastasis [matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of MMP-2 (TIMP-2)]. Both bLF and P-B showed high radical scavenging activity and reductive potential. Although administration of bLF and P-B alone suppressed DMBA-induced HBP tumors, combined administration of bLF and P-B was more effective in inhibiting HBP carcinogenesis by inhibiting oxidative DNA damage, carcinogen activation, cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Our study suggests that the antioxidative property of bLF and P-B may be responsible for chemoprevention of HBP carcinogenesis by modulating multiple molecular targets.

The effect of initiating doses of benzo[a]pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene on the expression of PAH activating enzymes and its modulation by plant phenols.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) are environmental pollutants, which undergo metabolic activation to exert their carcinogenic effects. Our earlier studies showed that naturally occurring plant phenols, protocatechuic, chlorogenic, tannic acids and resveratrol, besides inhibiting B[a]P and DMBA binding to DNA, modulate the activity of the enzymes involved in PAHs activation. The aim of the present study was further examination of the effect of these compounds on the expression and activities of CYP1A1/1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2B, and phase 2 enzymes in female BALB/C mouse epidermis treated with an initiating dose of B[a]P or DMBA. Application of a single 400 nmol dose of B[a]P alone significantly (by 119-127%) increased the activities of ethoxy- (EROD) and methoxy- (MROD) resorufin dealkylases and to lesser extent penthoxyresorufin depentylase (PROD) (by 32%). Western blot analysis with CYP1A1/1A2, CYP1B1 and CYP2B-specific antibodies showed the increase of CYP1A1/1A2 and CYP2B levels in B[a]P-treated animals. Phase 2 enzymes, gluthatione S-transferase and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) were also significantly increased. In contrast to B[a]P, application of the initiating dose of DMBA (10 nmol) on mouse skin did not change the activities or protein levels of cytochrome P450, however increased the activities of NQO1 and GST. Pretreatment of mice with phenolic compounds one hour before B[a]P application significantly decreased the activities of all alkoxyresorufin dealkylases in comparison with the group of mice treated only with B[a]P. The sole exception was tannic acid which did not affect the PROD activity. This polyphenol, however, decreased the protein level of CYP1A1/1A2 and CYP1B1 isozymes enhanced by B[a]P. All phenolics, particularly resveratrol, significantly (by 129-174%) increased the activity of NQO1 in comparison with B[a]P-treated animals. On the other hand, pretreatment with phenolic compounds significantly diminished NQO1 activity in comparison with DMBA-treated group. These results indicate that the reduction of B[a]P-DNA adducts observed in our earlier studies may result from the decreased B[a]P activation by investigated plant phenols. In case of DMBA-DNA adducts, the scavenging or masking the binding sites to be occupied by DMBA reactive metabolites is more probable. Moreover, the lack of cytochrome P450 induction by the initiating dose of DMBA suggests that the constitutive expression of P450, particularly CYP1B1 is sufficient for DMBA activation and subsequent DNA adducts formation.

Influence of caffeine on development of benign and carcinomatous mammary gland tumors in female rats treated with the carcinogens 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

The effect of chronic caffeine consumption (500 mg/liter of drinking water) on the initiation and promotion stages of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) (a low dose, 0.5 mg/100 g body weight, i.v.) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) (a standard dose, 2.5 mg/100 g body weight, i.v.) induced mammary gland tumorigenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats was determined. In the initiation studies, caffeine was administered for 30 days prior to and for 3-4 days after carcinogen treatment (carcinogens administered at 55-57 days of age); in the promotion studies, caffeine was administered beginning 3-4 days after carcinogen treatment and until experiment termination (DMBA study and MNU study, 48 and 26 weeks after carcinogen treatment, respectively). In the DMBA study, there were 62-73 rats/group, in the MNU study, 40 rats/group. Eighty-nine % of the mammary tumors induced by DMBA were benign (adenomas, fibroadenomas, often with cystic secretory activity), 11% were carcinomas (intraductal and invasive); virtually all of the MNU-induced mammary tumors were carcinomas (approximately 99%). Caffeine consumption during the initiation stage in the DMBA-treated rats resulted in a significant decrease in the mean number of mammary carcinomas per rat (50% reduction, P less than 0.01) and mean number of benign mammary tumors per rat (28% reduction, P less than 0.05); caffeine consumption during the promotion stage significantly decreased the mean number of benign mammary tumors per rat (57% reduction, P less than 0.001) while not significantly influencing mammary carcinoma number. In contrast, caffeine consumption during either the initiation or promotion stages of MNU-treated rats did not significantly influence this tumorigenic process. The influence of caffeine on urinary and fecal excretion of tritiated DMBA and on rat mammary gland development at the time of carcinogen treatment also was determined. Slightly reduced levels of tritium in 24-h urinary samples were observed in caffeine-treated animals (P = 0.06). No significant effect of caffeine on 24- to 96-h fecal or 48- to 96-h urinary excretion of the isotope was observed. No apparent effect of caffeine on rat mammary gland development (number of ducts, degree of lobuloalveolar development) was observed. That caffeine significantly suppresses the initiation stage of DMBA-induced rat mammary gland tumorigenesis, while not influencing this stage when MNU is used as a carcinogen, suggests that caffeine acts via an alteration in carcinogen (DMBA) activation. The lack of a pronounced effect of caffeine on tritiated DMBA excretion, however, does cast some doubt on this mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Inhibition of carcinogen-activating enzymes by 16alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one.

In the present study, we examined the effect of a synthetic analogue of the chemopreventive hormone dehydroepiandrosterone, 16alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one, also known as fluasterone, on the activity and expression of carcinogen-activating enzymes in MCF-7 cells. The increase in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1 activity, as measured by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, in cells treated with the carcinogens dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) or 2,3,5,7-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), was inhibited by cotreatment with fluasterone. However, treatment of the cells with fluasterone after induction with DMBA or TCDD failed to decrease enzyme activity, indicating that inhibition was not the result of direct enzyme inhibition. Therefore, we examined the effect of fluasterone on gene expression at the mRNA level. Both DMBA and TCDD caused a dramatic increase in the amount of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA, the two major isoforms involved in carcinogen activation in these cells. In cells cotreated with fluasterone, however, there was a dose-dependent decrease in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA. Fluasterone also inhibited the basal level of CYP1A1 mRNA but not CYP1B1. Fluasterone inhibited the rate of CYP1A1 promoter-controlled transcription, indicating that it affects the transcriptional regulation of the gene. Actinomycin D chase experiments showed that fluasterone also caused an increase in the degradation of CYP1A1 mRNA, while leaving CYP1B1 mRNA unaffected. These results indicate that fluasterone inhibits the increase in the expression of CYP1A1 normally caused by exposure to carcinogens by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms and that CYP1B1 expression is not susceptible to the same post-transcriptional mechanism.

Cytochrome P4501B1 mediates induction of bone marrow cytotoxicity and preleukemia cells in mice treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

Humans are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) through many environmental pollutants, especially cigarette smoke. These chemicals cause a variety of tumors and immunotoxic effects, as a consequence of bioactivation by P-450 cytochromes to dihydrodiol epoxides. The recently identified cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) bioactivates PAHs but is also a physiological regulator, as evidenced by linkage of CYP1B1 deficiency to congenital human glaucoma. This investigation demonstrates that CYP1B1 null mice are almost completely protected from the acute bone marrow cytotoxic and preleukemic effects of the prototypic PAH 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). CYP1B1 null mice did not produce the appreciable amounts of bone marrow DMBA dihydrodiol epoxide DNA adducts present in wild-type mice, despite comparable hepatic inductions of the prominent PAH-metabolizing P-450 cytochrome, CYP1A1. Wild-type mice constitutively expressed low levels of bone marrow CYP1B1. These findings suggest that CYP1B1 is responsible for the formation of DMBA dihydrodiol epoxides in the bone marrow. Furthermore, this study substantiates the importance of DMBA dihydrodiol epoxide generation at the site of cancer initiation and suggests that tissue-specific constitutive CYP1B1 expression may contribute to cancer susceptibility in the human population.

Both (+/-)syn- and (+/-)anti-7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxides initiate tumors in mouse skin that possess -CAA- to -CTA- mutations at Codon 61 of c-H-ras.

We have determined the tumor-initiating activity of (+/-)syn- and (+/-)anti-7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide (syn- and anti-DMBADE), the two metabolically formed bay-region diol epoxides of DMBA, and we have also analyzed mutations in the H-ras gene from tumors induced by these compounds. Using a two-stage, initiation-promotion protocol for tumorigenesis in mouse skin, we have found that both syn- and anti-DMBADE are active tumor initiators, and that the occurrence of papillomas is carcinogen dose dependent. All of the papillomas induced by syn-DMBADE (a total of 40 mice), 96% of those induced by anti-DMBADE (a total of 25 mice), and 94% of those induced by DMBA (a total of 16 mice) possessed a -CAA- to -CTA- mutation at codon 61 of H-ras. No mutations in codons 12 or 13 were detected in any tumor. Topical application of syn- and anti-DMBADE produced stable adducts in mouse epidermal DNA, most of which comigrated with stable DNA adducts formed after topical application of DMBA. Further analysis of the data showed that levels of the major syn- and anti-DMBADE-deoxyadenosine adducts formed after topical application of DMBA are sufficient to account for the tumor-initiating activity of this carcinogen on mouse skin. Previously, we showed that both the syn- and anti-DMBADE bind to the adenine (A182) at codon 61 of H-ras. Collectively, these results indicate that the adenine adducts induced by both bay-region diol epoxides of DMBA lead to the mutation at codon 61 of H-ras and, consequently, initiate tumorigenesis in mouse skin.

Photochemical reaction of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and formation of DNA covalent adducts.

DMBA, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, is a widely studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that has long been recognized as a probable human carcinogen. It has been found that DMBA is phototoxic in bacteria as well as in animal or human cells and photomutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA102. This article tempts to explain the photochemistry and photomutagenicity mechanism. Light irradiation converts DMBA into several photoproducts including benz[a]anthracene-7,12-dione, 7-hydroxy-12-keto-7-methylbenz[a]anthracene, 7,12-epidioxy-7,12-dihydro-DMBA, 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene and 12-hydroxymethyl-7-methylbenz[a]anthracene. Structures of these photoproducts have been identified by either comparison with authentic samples or by NMR/MS. At least four other photoproducts need to be assigned. Photo-irradiation of DMBA in the presence of calf thymus DNA was similarly conducted and light-induced DMBA-DNA adducts were analyzed by 32P-postlabeling/TLC, which indicates that multiple DNA adducts were formed. This indicates that formation of DNA adducts might be the source of photomutagenicity of DMBA. Metabolites obtained from the metabolism of DMBA by rat liver microsomes were reacted with calf thymus DNA and the resulting DNA adducts were analyzed by 32P-postlabeling/TLC under identical conditions. Comparison of the DNA adduct profiles indicates that the DNA adducts formed from photo-irradiation are different from the DNA adducts formed due to the reaction of DMBA metabolites with DNA. These results suggest that photo-irradiation of DMBA can lead to genotoxicity through activation pathways different from those by microsomal metabolism of DMBA.

Loss of endogenous Nfatc1 reduces the rate of DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumorigenesis.

Immunosuppressive therapies using calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine A, are associated with a higher incidence of squamous cell carcinoma formation in mice and humans. Calcineurin is believed to suppress tumorigenesis in part through Nfatc1, a transcription factor expressed primarily in hair follicle bulge stem cells in mice. However, mice overexpressing a constitutively active Nfatc1 isoform in the skin epithelium developed increased spontaneous skin squamous cell carcinomas. Because follicular stem cells can contribute to skin tumorigenesis, whether the endogenous expression of Nfatc1 inhibits or enhances skin tumorigenesis is unclear. Here we show that loss of the endogenous expression of Nfatc1 suppresses the rate of DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumorigenesis. Inducible deletion of Nfatc1 in follicular stem cells before tumor initiation significantly reduces the rate of tumorigenesis and the contribution of follicular stem cells to skin tumors. We find that skin tumors from mice lacking Nfatc1 display reduced Hras codon 61 mutations. Furthermore, Nfatc1 enhances the expression of genes involved in DMBA metabolism and increases DMBA-induced DNA damage in keratinocytes. Together these data implicate Nfatc1 in the regulation of skin stem cell-initiated tumorigenesis via the regulation of DMBA metabolism.

Identification of a multidrug resistance-like system in Tetrahymena pyriformis: evidence for a new detoxication mechanism in freshwater ciliates.

The freshwater ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis is an ubiquitous organism that is present in all aquatic ecosystems. This protozoan showed a clear resistance against some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can be attributed to an efflux pump probably of the multidrug resistance (MDR) type. Immunocytochemical detection showed a positive stain of ciliate cells using the monoclonal antibodies 4E3, raised against P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The kinetics of P-gp expression were studied for control cultures and cultures treated with 15 microM benzo(a)pyrene. Western blot analysis using the Ab1, anti-P-gp polyclonal antibodies indicates the presence of two bands of 66 and 96 kDa of which the intensity increased with time in benzo(a)pyrene-treated ciliates. Uptake experiments with target compounds for the MDR pump, namely adriamycin, rhodamine 123 and two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo(a)pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene, were carried out by flow cytometry, in the presence or absence of cyclosporin (an inhibitor of the multidrug resistant pump). The data indicate that the accumulation of these compounds by ciliate cells is significantly enhanced in the presence of cyclosporin. This suggests that Tetrahymena is provided with a P-gp-like system that is functionally active in a way similar to that of the mammalian P-gp.

Selenium-enriched Agaricus bisporus mushrooms suppress 7,12-dimethlybenz[a]anthracene bioactivation in mammary tissue.

The present studies compared dietary Se (1.0 microg/g) when provided as either fortified Agaricus bisporus mushrooms, or sodium selenite on the in vivo metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Dietary addition of Se unenriched A. bisporus mushrooms at 2% did not alter the occurrence of DMBA induced DNA adducts or the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST). However, the addition of Se as enriched mushrooms, or as selenite, significantly increased both liver and mammary GST activity. Providing sodium selenite, or enriched mushrooms also significantly reduced total and anti-3,4-dihydrodiol-1,2-epoxide-deoxyguanosine adducts compared to feeding the basal diet (P < 0.05). These investigations provide evidence that Se enriched mushrooms can be used as an effective method to retard chemically induced tumors.

Effect of dietary butylated hydroxytoluene on the in vivo distribution, metabolism and DNA-binding of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

The effect of dietary intake of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (0.6%) on the in vivo distribution, metabolism and DNA-binding of intragastrically administered 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) was evaluated. Urinary excretion of DMBA increased, blood content of metabolized DMBA increased and blood content of non-metabolized DMBA decreased for rats fed the diet containing BHT as compared to rats fed the control diet. The binding of DMBA to both liver and mammary DNA decreased for rats fed the diet containing BHT as compared to controls. The liver activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), epoxide hydrolase (EH) and NAD(P)H-quinone reductase (QR) increased in response to BHT feeding. However, no increase in the mammary tissue activities of these enzymes was observed. These results suggest that the ability of dietary BHT to inhibit the initiation of DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis partly may be due to decreased binding of DMBA to mammary DNA. This effect of BHT is not due to an increase in mammary tissue activities of GST, EH and QR, enzymes involved in carcinogen detoxification, but may involve increased liver metabolism of DMBA to products that do not bind to DNA.

Metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in hepatic microsomal membranes from rats treated with isoenzyme-selective inducers of cytochromes P450.

Previous work has shown that member(s) of the cytochrome P450IIC sub-family play significant roles in the formation of diols of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and are particularly important in formation of the proximate carcinogen (DMBA-3,4-diol). To further characterize the role of members of this subfamily in DMBA-diol formation and to assess the part played by other P450s, DMBA metabolism has been investigated in microsomes prepared from animals pre-treated with isoenzyme selective inducers. The rates of formation of DMBA-diols in membranes from phenobarbital-treated rats were very low when NADH was used as reductant and rates were not altered when NADPH and NADH were used in combination rather than using NADPH alone. This suggests that cytochrome b5 is not involved in DMBA-diol formation in these membranes. Treatment of animals with clofibrate, pyrazole and dexamethasone produced regio-selective alterations in the rates of formation of DMBA-diols at the -3,4-, -5,6- and -8,9- positions. However, none of the inducers caused increases in the rates of DMBA-diol formation of any great magnitude suggesting that the isoforms which are the major induced proteins (P450IVA1, P450IIE1 and P450IIIA1) do not play a significant role in diol formation. The content of other P450s in these membrane are also altered and these were investigated by Western blot using antibodies to P450IIC6, P450IIB1 and P450IIIA1. The results of the Western blots show that the effects of the inducing agents on DMBA-diol formation can be explained by alterations of members of the P450IIC and P450IIB subfamilies.

Effect of curcumin on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and cytochrome P450 1A1 in MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells.

We examined the interaction of curcumin, a dietary constituent and chemopreventive compound, with the carcinogen activation pathway mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 mammary epithelial carcinoma cells. Curcumin caused a rapid accumulation of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and CYP1A1 monooxygenase activity increased as measured by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation. Curcumin activated the DNA-binding capacity of the AhR for the xenobiotic responsive element of CYP1A1 as measured by the electrophoretic-mobility shift assay (EMSA). Curcumin was able to compete with the prototypical AhR ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin for binding to the AhR in isolated MCF-7 cytosol, indicating that it interacts directly with the receptor. Although curcumin could activate the AhR on its own, it partially inhibited the activation of AhR, as measured by EMSA, and partially decreased the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA caused by the mammary carcinogen dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). Curcumin competitively inhibited CYP1A1 activity in DMBA-treated cells and in microsomes isolated from DMBA-treated cells. Curcumin also inhibited the metabolic activation of DMBA, as measured by the formation of DMBA-DNA adducts, and decreased DMBA-induced cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the chemopreventive effect of curcumin may be due, in part, to its ability to compete with aryl hydrocarbons for both the AhR and CYP1A1. Curcumin may thus be a natural ligand and substrate of the AhR pathway.

Development of an optimal S9 activation mixture for the L5178Y TK+/- mouse lymphoma mutation assay.

In previously described activation systems [Clive D, Spector JFS (1975): Mutat Res 31:17-29] for the mouse lymphoma mutation assay the cofactor isocitrate is rapidly exhausted and the resultant loss of NADPH can halt metabolic processes. Presented here are data obtained with a non-toxic balance of NADP (1.4 mg/ml), isocitrate (6.0 mg/ml), and S9 (less than or equal to 4%) in Fischer's medium which produces a more stable supply of the required cofactors. By spectrophotometric analysis, the molar concentration of NADPH remains at greater than or equal to 50% or more of the maximum over the usual 4-hr treatment period. Accompanying this increase in NADPH duration was increased toxicity and mutant frequency at most doses among cells treated with the reference mutagens 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF), benzo(a)pyrene (BAP), 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA), or cyclophosphamide (CPA), but not with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-possibly a reflection of the single enzyme mediated step in the metabolism of this chemical. These observations also suggest that results attributed to varying the amounts of S9 in an activation mixture may be due to suboptimal cofactor levels and further emphasize the need to maintain sufficient NADPH exposure to evaluate the effects of metabolic enzyme levels or compare the relative activities of analogous chemicals.

Metabolism of promutagens catalyzed by Drosophila melanogaster CYP6A2 enzyme in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster allows screening of chemicals for genotoxicity in a multicellular organism. In order to correlate data obtained in the SMART with those from genotoxicity tests in rodents, it is important to learn more on the variety of drug-metabolizing enzymes present in this insect and to identify their substrate specificities. In this study we have concentrated on the phase I enzyme cytochrome P450 6A2, which is the first cytochrome P450 cloned from Drosophila. A genomic CYP6A2 DNA fragment and its corresponding cDNA were cloned and sequenced, revealing a previously unidentified intron with an inframe stop codon. This intron is invariantly present in an insecticide resistant [OR(R)] and a sensitive (flr3) strain. Developmental Northern analysis of CYP6A2 mRNA demonstrated a peak of expression in the third larval and pupal stage. CYP6A2 mRNA was found to be present in the insecticide-resistant strain at higher levels than in the insecticide-sensitive strain. Therefore, insecticide resistance might be correlated with enhanced CYP6A2 expression. The substrate specificity of CYP6A2 enzyme was investigated by coexpressing CYP6A2 cDNA with the cDNA for human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The transformed strain activated the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 to a product that induced gene conversion, scored at the trp5 locus. Two other compounds, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), were metabolized in the transformed strain to cytotoxic products.

Effect of dietary soy protein isolate, genistein, and 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate on DNA binding of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in mammary glands of CD rats.

We examined whether a soy protein isolate or one of its major components (genistein) influences the initiation stage of carcinogenesis via DNA binding studies of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in liver and mammary tissue of female CD rats. A semipurified high-fat diet (23.5% corn oil) containing the soy protein isolate (10%), genistein (111 ppm), or 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC) (5 ppm as selenium) as a positive control was fed to 6-week-old virgin female CD rats for 1 week before carcinogen treatment. Neither soy nor genistein affected the extent of DMBA-DNA binding in liver. In mammary tissue, 111 ppm genistein in the diet was more effective than the soy protein isolate, although the latter contains the same amount of genistein, mainly present as a glucoside conjugate. As shown before, p-XSC inhibited DMBA-DNA binding in mammary tissue. Total binding was inhibited because of reduced formation of three major adducts: anti-diol epoxide deoxyguanosine, syn-diol epoxide deoxyadenosine, and anti-diolepoxide deoxyadenosine. Thus, an additional experiment with 111 and 222 ppm of genistein was performed; 222 ppm genistein had a weaker effect than that observed for 111 ppm. Nevertheless, 111 ppm of genistein in the diet appears to inhibit the initiation phase of DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors and may partially account for the reported inhibitory effect of soy against DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors.

Cellular localization and hormonal regulation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene mono-oxygenase activity in the rat ovary.

To identify the ovarian cell type(s) responsible for the metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and their dependence on hormonal influences, DMBA mono-oxygenase activity was determined in primary cultures of cells dispersed from rat ovaries and separated by centrifugation on discontinuous Percoll density gradients. The contents of progesterone and oestradiol in the different cell cultures were characterized. Moreover, the morphological appearance of ovarian cells obtained from untreated and pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-treated rats was examined. It is concluded from experiments with immature PMSG-treated rats, that DMBA mono-oxygenase activity is localized in follicular granulosa (and/or theca) cells. This activity decreases during luteinization, and is recovered in a population of cells harvested at a higher density on the Percoll gradient. The xenobiotic-metabolizing activity was not correlated to the rate of biosynthesis of progesterone or oestradiol in isolated cells, measured in the presence or absence of human chorionic gonadotropin and/or testosterone. However, a certain dependence of DMBA metabolism on steroids and/or steroid-synthesizing enzymes could not be excluded. For example, DMBA mono-oxygenase activity was markedly increased in a cell population, tentatively identified as granulosa cells, obtained from untreated mature rat ovaries upon addition of testosterone, which is the substrate for oestrogen synthesis, to the cell culture.

Evidence for mitochondrial metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in porcine ovaries: comparison with microsomal metabolism.

7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) causes necrosis in endocrine organs. DMBA metabolism in follicles and corpora lutea from porcine ovaries was demonstrated not only in the microsomal but also in the mitochondrial fraction, in contrast to what has been found in the rat ovary. Maximal activities were present in these fractions of the corpus luteum, with specific activities of 5.9 and 2.2 pmol/min x mg protein, respectively. DMBA metabolism in mitoplasts, i.e. mitochondrial inner membranes, proved to be more than 10-fold higher than the corresponding activity in the mitochondrial fraction. The purities of the subcellular fractions were assessed by measurements of marker enzymes. 17-42% of the mitochondrial DMBA metabolism was concluded to be due to microsomal contamination. In the mitoplast fraction such contamination was only 0.18-2.8%. Ellipticine and alpha-naphthoflavone reduced the metabolism of DMBA in the luteal microsomal fraction by 95 and 77%, respectively. In mitochondria the inhibition by these agents was 63 and 30%, respectively. Indomethacine and estradiol decreased microsomal DMBA metabolism by 53 and 52%, respectively. In mitochondria the inhibition was 52 and 23%, respectively. None of these inhibitors affected the DMBA metabolism by the mitoplast fraction.