Impaired sperm chromatin integrity in obese mice.

An increased global prevalence of obesity coincides with an apparent decline in male sperm quality and a possible association between these pathologies has been suggested. In this study, we examined the effects of obesity on sperm chromatin integrity using two mouse models of obesity. In one group of mice, obesity was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) (diet-induced obesity; DIO model), whereas in the other group, leptin deficiency was used to study the effects of obesity independently of the influence of dietary factors. Sperm chromatin integrity is recognized as an important measure of male infertility, and was analysed by the sperm chromatin structure assay. We found increased sperm DNA fragmentation in both groups of obese mice compared to lean mice, whereas the percentage of immature spermatozoa was not increased by obesity. The DIO model reflects the human condition more closely than the leptin-deficient model and was therefore selected for examination of the transcriptional response of a selection of marker genes in the testis by quantitative real-time PCR. The analysis of transcript levels of the selected testicular marker genes showed moderate, but significant, up-regulation of the Cyp2e1, Cyp19a1, Tnf and Pparg genes in DIO mice compared to lean mice. In conclusion, a clear positive correlation between body mass index and sperm DNA fragmentation was found in two mouse models of obesity. However, the variability in sperm DNA fragmentation within the two groups of obese animals was high. The observed changes in the transcript level of the marker genes suggest that there may be a local response in testicular cells to the HFD regimen with a potential impact on intratesticular signalling and spermatogenesis.

Genomic damage in children accidentally exposed to ionizing radiation: a review of the literature.

During the last decade, our knowledge of the mechanisms by which children respond to exposures to physical and chemical agents present in the environment, has significantly increased. Results of recent projects and programmes focused on children's health underline a specific vulnerability of children to environmental genotoxicants. Environmental research on children predominantly investigates the health effects of air pollution while effects from radiation exposure deserve more attention. The main sources of knowledge on genome damage of children exposed to radiation are studies performed after the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident in 1986. The present review presents and discusses data collected from papers analyzing genome damage in children environmentally exposed to ionizing radiation. Overall, the evidence from the studies conducted following the Chernobyl accident, nuclear tests, environmental radiation pollution and indoor accidental contamination reveals consistently increased chromosome aberration and micronuclei frequency in exposed than in referent children. Future research in this area should be focused on studies providing information on: (a) effects on children caused by low doses of radiation; (b) effects on children from combined exposure to low doses of radiation and chemical agents from food, water and air; and (c) specific effects from exposure during early childhood (radioisotopes from water, radon in homes). Special consideration should also be given to a possible impact of a radiochemical environment to the development of an adaptive response for genomic damage. Interactive databases should be developed to provide integration of cytogenetic data, childhood cancer registry data and information on environmental contamination. The overall aim is to introduce timely and efficient preventive measures, by means of a better knowledge of the early and delayed health effects in children resulting from radiation exposure.

[Chlorination of drinking water--possible cancer risk from a by-product]. / Klorering av drikkevann--mulig kreftrisiko av et biprodukt.

In a recent study, 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (MX; CAS no 77439-76-0) which is formed during chlorination of water containing organic substances, was found to be carcinogenic in the rat, at multiple sites in both sexes. MX is known as a potent bacterial mutagen. Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between chlorinated water consumption and a moderate increase in the risk of cancer. Although MX is a strong mutagen in prokaryotes, its genotoxic effects in mammalian cells are not so large, and more variable results are obtained. Very low concentrations of MX are found in drinking water (ng/L), whereas the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects in experimental animals of this compound are detectable at relatively high doses (mg/kg body weight). Relative to the risk for infectious diseases from the consumption of contaminated drinking water, the possible cancer risk associated with MX exposure appears to be low. Even so, efforts should be made to reduce disinfection byproduct formation by removing organic matter before chlorination.

DNA damage induced by the drinking water mutagen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (MX) in mammalian cells in vitro and in mice.

3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (MX) formed during chlorination of water containing natural organic substances, is a very potent bacterial mutagen. Recently, tumours at multiple sites were reported in rats given MX-containing drinking water. We have investigated the genotoxicity of MX in mammalian cells exposed in vitro and in vivo using alkaline filter elution to detect DNA single-strand breaks and/or alkali-labile sites (SSBs). Concentrations as high as 100 and 300 microM MX were required to induce detectable levels of SSBs in the HL-60 cells. If MX treatment was carried out in the presence of DNA repair inhibitors (AraC plus hydroxyurea), the sensitivity of the assay to detect MX-induced SSBs was increased by a factor of 100. The presence of serum proteins during exposure resulted in a minor reduction of the MX-induced DNA damage in HL-60 cells at the lowest MX concentrations. In primary cultures of testicular cells as well as in resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), a slightly increased level of SSBs was observed at MX-concentrations above 30 microM, this effect was not further increased by repair inhibitors. In LLC-PK1 renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and in growth stimulated human peripheral PBMC, increased SSBs were detected at MX concentrations as low as low as 3-10 microM and higher using repair inhibitors, and at 10 times higher concentrations without repair inhibitors. No dose dependent DNA damage was detected in the liver, kidney, spleen and colon of male B6C3F1 mice administrated high doses of MX (40 and 80 mg kg-1). Moderately increased and dose dependent SSBs were detected in the liver and kidney in the presence of DNA repair inhibitors during MX treatment, but no such increase was observed in the spleen and colon.

Single-strand breaks, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HL-60 and LLCPK1 cells exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane.

We investigated 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)-induced DNA damage, cell cycle alterations and cell death in two cell lines, the human leukemia HL-60 and the pig kidney LLCPK1, both of which are derived from potential target sites for DBCP-induced toxicity. DBCP (30-300 micromol/L) caused a concentration-dependent increase in the levels of DNA single-strand breaks in both cell lines as well as in cultured human renal proximal tubular cells. After extended DBCP exposure in LLCPK1 cells (100 micromol/L, 30 h), the level of DNA breaks returned almost to control values. Incubation for 48 h showed a clear reduction of growth with DBCP concentrations as low as 10 micromol/L. Flow cytometric analysis showed that DBCP (1-10 micromol/L) exposure for 24 h caused an accumulation of LLCPK1 cells in the G2/M-phase. In HL-60 cells the accumulation in G2/M-phase was less marked, and at higher concentrations the cells accumulated in S-phase. Flow cytometric studies of HL-60 and LLCPK1 cells exposed to 100-500 micromol/L DBCP showed increased number of apoptotic cells/bodies with a lower DNA content than that of the G1 cells. Microscopic studies revealed that there were increased numbers of cells with nuclear condensation and fragmentation, indicating that apoptosis was the dominant mode of death in these cell lines, following exposure to DBCP. The characteristic ladder pattern of apoptotic cells was observed when DNA from DBCP-treated HL-60 cells and LLCPK1 cells was electrophoresed in agarose. The finding that DBCP can cause an accumulation of cells in G2/M-phase and induce apoptosis in vitro may be of importance for the development of DBCP-induced toxicity in vivo.

DNA damage, gadd153 expression, and cytotoxicity in plateau-phase renal proximal tubular epithelial cells treated with a quinol thioether.

2-Bromo-bis-(glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone [2-Br-bis-(GSyl)HQ] causes DNA single-strand breaks (SSB), causes growth arrest, induces the expression of gadd153 (a gene inducible by growth arrest and DNA damage), and decreases histone H2B mRNA in log-phase renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (LLC-PK1). Renal epithelial cells in vivo normally exhibit a low mitotic index, therefore experiments in both plateau- and log-phase cells are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the stress response to 2-Br-bis-(GSyl)HQ. In the present article we demonstrate that not all features of the stress response in log-phase cells are reproduced in plateau-phase cells. Thus, although 2-Br-bis-(GSyl)HQ causes concentration and time-dependent increases in DNA SSB, and increases the expression of gadd153, histone H2B mRNA levels are unaltered in plateau-phase cells. The relationship between reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, gene expression, and cytotoxicity was also investigated. Our findings suggest that (i) 2-Br-bis-(GSyl)HQ-mediated DNA damage in LLC-PK1 cells is mediated by the generation of H2O2; (ii) DNA damage, either directly or indirectly, contributes to cell death; and (iii) DNA damage, either directly or indirectly, provides the initial signal for gadd153 expression. In addition, DNA repair is rapid in LLC-PK1 cells, and the DNA-repair inhibitors 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and hydroxyurea have no effect on the amount of DNA SSB. Although the addition of 3-aminobenzamide following 2-Br-bis-(GSyl)HQ exposure has no effect on the removal of DNA SSB, it causes a slight but significant increase in gadd153 expression and cell viability, indicating that activation of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase may exacerbate toxicity. Finally, aurintricarboxylic acid did not prevent DNA SSB or cytotoxicity in 2-Br-bis-(GSyl) HQ-treated LLC-PK1 cells, implying that activation of endonucleases does not play a role in these processes.

DNA damage induced by 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (MX) in HL-60 cells and purified DNA in vitro.

Chlorinated tap water often contains 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (MX), which is a potent directly acting bacterial mutagen. We have investigated the induction of DNA damage by MX in a promyelocytic human leukaemia cell line (HL-60 cells). Exposure of HL-60 cells to 100-300 microM MX resulted in increased levels of DNA single-strand breaks and/or alkali-labile sites (SSBs) as detected by alkaline filter elution. When adding inhibitors of DNA break repair (AraC plus hydroxyurea), increased levels of DNA SSBs were observed at very low concentrations (1-3 microM) of MX, as observed by both alkaline filter elution and the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay. Increased DNA SSBs could also be observed if DNA repair inhibitors were added immediately after exposure to 10 microM MX, indicating that low concentrations of MX cause a relatively stable modification of DNA that may be recognized and incised by DNA repair enzyme activities. Further studies with DNA break repair inhibitors indicated that HL-60 cells exposed to 10 microM MX for 1 h repaired 50% of their initial DNA damage during a 2-h period and the repair appeared to be complete at 22 h. Analysis of MX-treated DNA by sequencing methods indicated that MX preferentially reacts with guanines in DNA.

Genotoxic effects of cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different types of isolated rat lung cells.

The genotoxic effects of the environmental contaminants benz[j]aceanthrylene (B[j]A), benz[l]aceanthrylene (B[l]A) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and the metabolism of radiolabelled B[j]A, were studied using rat lung microsomes and various types of isolated rat lung cells from control and Aroclor 1254 (PCB) treated animals. All three compounds (10 or 20 microg/plate) resulted in low, but detectable, levels of His+ revertants in the Salmonella assay when plated with control lung microsomes. The two cyclopenta polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAH) B[j]A and B[l]A, gave increased levels of revertants when plated with microsomes from PCB-treated animals. Clara cells, type 2 cells and alveolar macrophages isolated from control rats were exposed to B[j]A, B[l]A or B[a]P (30 microg/ml, 1 h), but neither of the cell types showed any DNA damage when measured by alkaline filter elution. However, both B[j]A and B[l]A (30 microg/ml, 2 h) caused DNA adducts in all three cell types, measured by the 32P-post-labelling technique, whereas no B[a]P adducts were detected (30 microg/ml, 2 h). The total DNA adduct levels in Clara cells, type 2 cells and macrophages exposed to B[j]A were 0.085 +/- 0.033, 0.053 +/- 0.001 and 0.170 +/- 0.030 fmol/microg DNA, respectively, whereas the total levels in cells exposed to B[l]A were 0.140 +/- 0.070, 0.140 +/- 0.030 and 0.220 +/- 0.080 fmol/microg DNA, respectively. Cells exposed to B[j]A revealed only one adduct which corresponds with the B[j]A-1,2-oxide DNA adduct. Judged from high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis using radiolabelled B[j]A (30 microg/ml, 30 min), the major metabolite formed in control microsomes was B[j]A-1,2-diol. Thus, oxidation at the cyclopenta ring appears to be the most important activation pathway for B[j]A with control rat lung cells. Exposure of lung cells to CP-PAH (30 microg/ml, 2 h) isolated from PCB pretreated rats resulted in slightly increased DNA adduct levels in Clara cells and macrophages when compared to cells isolated from control rats. Furthermore, the adduct pattern had shifted, and no apparent B[j]A-1,2-oxide adduct could be detected on the thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate. In contrast, the major metabolite formed with microsomes from PCB-treated animals was still the B[j]A-1,2-diol.

DNA strand breaks in testicular cells from humans and rats following in vitro exposure to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP).

Preparations of testicular cells from human organ transplant donors and from Wistar rats were compared with respect to their composition of the different testicular cell types, their ability to metabolize 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), and their relative sensitivity to induction of DNA single strand breaks and alkali labile sites (ssDNA breaks) after treatment with DBCP, 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4-NQO), and X rays. Flow cytometric and microscopic analysis demonstrated that the interindividual variation in the composition of testicular cell types was considerably greater in the human tissue than in that from rats. The in vitro metabolic activation of DBCP (50 to 250 microM), measured as radiolabel covalently bound to macromolecules, was three-fold faster in rat testicular cells compared to human testicular cells. X rays (1 to 10 Gy) and 4-NQO (0.5 to 2.5 microM) induced ssDNA breaks to a similar extent in both human and rat testicular cells as measured by single cell get electrophoresis (SCGE) and alkaline filter elution. In contrast, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) (3 to 300 microM) caused no significant DNA damage in human testicular cells, whereas in rats there was a clear concentration-dependent increase in ssDNA breaks. The data show that, compared to rats, testicular cells from humans are less efficient in activating DBCP to metabolites binding covalently to macromolecules. However, from the rate of covalent binding observed one would expect a significant degree of DBCP-induced ssDNA breaks in the human testicular cells. The low level of DBCP-induced ssDNA breaks in human testicular cells could indicate that different reactive DBCP metabolites are involved in binding to cellular macromolecules compared to DNA damage, or that different rates of DNA repair exist in human and rat testicular cells.

Interferon-alpha-2b alone and combined with octreotide in primary carcinoid cell-cultures.

Interferon and octreotide are two main therapeutic options in metastatic carcinoid disease. In primary cell cultures prepared from 26 previously untreated carcinoid patients interferon-alpha 2b (alpha-INF), alone and combined with octreotide, significantly reduced medium serotonin (5-HT). The amines were measured with reversed phase HPLC and electrochemical detection, total DNA with a photometric method. Interferon lowered the medium concentration of serotonin to 53% (range 42-79%), octreotide alone to 44% (range 23-48%). Neither interferon, octreotide nor the combined treatment decreased DNA content. Octreotide had no effect on intracellular 5-HT. Both interferon alone and combined with octreotide lowered intracellular 5-HT concentrations significantly. This may represent a direct biochemical effect of interferon on tryptophan metabolism.

Genotoxic effects of cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in isolated rat hepatocytes and rabbit lung cells.

Benz[j]aceanthrylene (B[j]A) and benz[l]aceanthrylene (B[l]A), two isomeric cyclopenta polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAH) structurally related to 3-methylcholanthrene, were studied with respect to their genotoxic effects in isolated liver and lung cells. Both compounds were found to cause DNA adducts measured by the 32P-postlabelling technique. The level of DNA-adducts in rat hepatocytes exposed to 30 micrograms/ml B[l]A and B[j]A for 4 h were 46.5 +/- 22.0 and 8.3 +/- 5.1 fmol/micrograms DNA respectively. Using butanol extractions, the major and one of the minor B[j]A adducts co-chromatographed with B[j]A-1,2-oxide adducts of 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine. Thus, oxidation at the cyclopenta-ring of B[j]A appears to be an important activation pathway. In hepatocytes, 3-30 micrograms/ml of B[j]A and B[l]A induced DNA damage and repair measured both as increased alkaline elution of DNA and as increased incorporation of [3H]TdR in the DNA. B[l]A was somewhat more potent than B[j]A in inducing DNA repair. Reactive CP-PAH intermediates formed in the hepatocytes caused mutations in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 upon co-incubation. DNA adducts were also observed in isolated rabbit lung cells exposed to 30 micrograms/ml B[l]A or B[j]A for 2 h. A total of 14.5 +/- 6.9, 2.9 +/- 2.1 and 0.2 +/- 0.6 fmol B[l]A adducts/micrograms DNA were observed in Clara cells, type II pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages respectively. The main B[l]A adduct observed in the liver cells was not found in the lung cells. On the other hand, the levels of B[j]A adducts in the lung cells were in the range 4-14% of that found in liver cells, and no major differences between the various lung cells were observed. Neither B[l]A nor B[j]A induced DNA damage measured by alkaline elution in the lung cells, indicating that these adducts are not alkali labile.

Chemically induced DNA damage in isolated rabbit lung cells.

By use of an isolation procedure including centrifugal elutriation and density gradient centrifugation, relatively pure fractions of Clara cells and type II cells were obtained from rabbit lungs. These cells and alveolar macrophages isolated by lavage were exposed to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), N-nitrosoheptamethyleneimine (NHMI) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA). DNA damage measured as alkali-labile sites and/or single-strand breaks was then determined in the different lung cells by an automated alkaline elution system. The direct-acting compound MMS showed similar DNA-damaging effect in Clara cells, type II cells and alveolar macrophages. The nematocide DBCP, activated by both P450- and glutathione S-transferase(s)-dependent pathways, caused considerably less DNA damage in macrophages than in Clara or type II cells. Similar differences between the lung cells in induction of DNA damage as observed with DBCP were demonstrated after exposure to the activation-dependent nitrosamines NNK and NHMI and the tumor promoter TPA. The other test substances (1-NP, 2-NF, NNN) did not cause any marked DNA damage measured by the alkaline elution technique. These findings are in agreement with the known metabolic capacity of these cell types, indicating that Clara and type II cells are possible primary targets for lung toxic/carcinogenic compounds.

The non-genotoxicity to rodents of the potent rodent bladder carcinogens o-anisidine and p-cresidine.

The two potent rodent bladder carcinogens o-anisidine and p-cresidine, and the structurally related non-carcinogen 2,4-dimethoxyaniline, have been extensively evaluated for genotoxicity to rodents and found to be inactive. Most data were generated on o-anisidine, an agent that is also only marginally genotoxic in vitro. The two carcinogens induced methaemoglobinaemia in rodents indicating that the chemicals are absorbed and metabolically oxidized. Despite their total lack of genotoxicity in vivo, the two carcinogens have the hall-marks of being genotoxic carcinogens given that most test animals of both sexes of B6C3F1 mice and F344 rats are reported to have succumbed rapidly to malignant bladder cancer. No reasons for this dramatic conflict of test data are so far apparent. The experiments described involve, in one or other combination, 2 strains of mice (including B6C3F1) and 4 strains of rat (including F344), the use of oral and i.p. routes of exposure and observations made after 1, 3 or 6 doses of test chemical. 6 tissues (including the rat bladder) were assayed using 3 genetic endpoints (unscheduled DNA synthesis, DNA single-strand breaks and micronuclei induction). Aroclor-induced rats were employed in one set of experiments with o-anisidine. In the case of one set of mouse bone-marrow micronucleus experiments the same batch of the 3 chemicals as used in the cancer bioassays, and the same strain of mouse, were used. Possible further experiments and the implications of these findings are discussed.

Genotoxic effects of the drinking water mutagen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (MX) in mammalian cells in vitro and in rats in vivo.

The potent bacterial mutagen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]- furanone) (MX), which is formed during chlorination of drinking water and accounts for about one third of the Ames mutagenicity of tap water, has been studied with respect to its genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with 30-300 microM MX (1 h) induced DNA damage in a concentration-dependent manner in suspensions of rat hepatocytes, as measured by an automated alkaline elution system. The effect was similar in hepatocytes from PCB-induced and uninduced rats. DNA damage was induced in V79 Chinese hamster cells and in isolated rat testicular cells, at the same concentration level as in hepatocytes. Pretreating testicular cells with diethylmaleate, which depletes 85% of cellular glutathione, had no significant effect on the DNA damage induced by MX. The treatment conditions used in the alkaline elution experiments were not cytotoxic to any of the cell types used, as determined by trypan blue exclusion. V79 cells exposed to 2-5 microM MX (2 h) showed an increased frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) whereas no significant effect on HGPRT mutation induction was observed. Higher concentrations (greater than 10 microM, 2 h) apparently blocked cell division. The data indicate that MX can react directly with DNA or that MX is metabolized to an ultimate mutagen via some enzyme which is common in mammalian cells. The in vivo experiments showed no evidence of genotoxicity after intraperitoneal (18 mg/kg, 1 h) or oral (18, 63 or 125 mg/kg, 1 h) administration of MX, as measured by alkaline elution, in any of the following organs: the pyloric part of the stomach, the duodenum, colon ascendens, liver, kidney, lung, bone marrow, urinary bladder and the testes. In conclusion, MX is a direct-acting genotoxicant in vitro but no in vivo genotoxicity was detected.

Species differences in kidney necrosis and DNA damage, distribution and glutathione-dependent metabolism of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP).

Species differences and mechanisms of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) nephrotoxicity were investigated by studying DBCP renal necrosis and DNA damage, distribution and glutathione-dependent metabolism in rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs. Extensive renal tubular necrosis was observed in rats 48 hr after a single intraperitoneal administration (21-170 mumol/kg) of DBCP. Significantly less necrosis was found in mice and guinea pigs, whereas no renal damage was evident (less than 680 mumol/kg) in hamsters. The activation of DBCP to DNA damaging intermediates in vivo, as measured by alkaline elution of DNA isolated from kidney nuclei 60 min. after intraperitoneal injection of DBCP, was compared in all four species. Distinct DNA damage was detected in rats, mice and hamsters as early as 10 min. after administration of DBCP and within 30 min. in guinea pigs. Rats and guinea pigs showed similar sensitivity towards DBCP-induced DNA damage (extensive DNA damage greater than 21 mumol/kg DBCP), whereas in mice and hamsters a 10-50 times higher DBCP dose was needed to cause a similar degree of DNA damage. Renal DBCP concentrations at various time-points (20 min., 1, 3 and 8 hr) after intraperitoneal administration (85 mumol/kg) revealed that the initial (20 min.) DBCP concentration was substantially higher in rats and guinea pigs compared to the other two species. Furthermore, kidney elimination of DBCP occurred at a significantly lower rate in rats than in mice, hamsters and guinea pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Species differences in testicular necrosis and DNA damage, distribution and metabolism of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP).

The human testicular toxicant 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) was studied for the same end-point in 4 different species of laboratory animals. Marked necrosis and atrophy of the seminiferous epithelium were observed in rats and guinea pigs 10 days after a single i.p. administration of DBCP (170-340 mumol/kg), whereas significantly less damage was observed in hamsters and mice. The testicular concentrations of DBCP measured at various time-points after the i.p. injection of DBCP indicated that factors in addition to tissue concentration were of importance for the observed species differences in sensitivity towards DBCP-induced testicular damage. Also, there did not seem to be any direct correlation between DBCP-induced in vivo testicular toxicity and in vitro GSH-dependent dehalogenation, inasmuch as the rate of bromide release from DBCP with hamster testicular cytosol was as fast as that with rat cytosol. Testicular DNA damage, as determined by alkaline elution 60 min after in vivo administration of 170 mumol/kg DBCP, was observed only in rats and guinea pigs. Thus, induction of DNA damage correlates with the relative susceptibilities of the species towards DBCP-induced testicular necrosis. To further study species differences in testicular activation of DBCP to DNA-damaging intermediate(s), cells isolated from the testes of the 4 species were incubated with DBCP. Testicular cells from rats and guinea pigs were the only preparations developing substantial DNA damage after 60 min incubation with low concentrations of DBCP (5-50 microM). The findings indicate that rats are sensitive towards DBCP-induced testicular necrosis because rat testicular cells easily activate DBCP to a DNA-damaging intermediate(s). The relative high testicular DBCP concentration as well as the ability to activate DBCP may explain the sensitivity of guinea pigs towards DBCP-induced testicular toxicity.

Genotoxicity of the food mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP): formation of 2-hydroxamino-PhIP, a directly acting genotoxic metabolite.

Hepatocytes isolated from Aroclor 1254 (PCB) pretreated rats metabolized 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) to a reactive metabolite that induced DNA damage measured by alkaline elution or as increased unscheduled DNA synthesis. PhIP induced mutations in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and DNA strand breaks and sister chromatid exchange(s) in Chinese hamster V79 cells co-incubated with PCB-hepatocytes. No, or only minor genotoxic, effects were observed when hepatocytes from non-induced rats were used. The bacterial mutagenicity could be inhibited by alpha-naphthoflavone, indicating a role of P-450 in the activation of PhIP. At least eight different metabolites could be separated on HPLC after PhIP had been incubated with PCB-hepatocytes. All of the directly acting mutagenicity towards S.typhimurium TA98 co-eluted with one of the metabolites. The identity of this metabolite was concluded to be 2-hydroxamino-PhIP based on the following evidence: (i) it reduced ferric ion to ferrous ion as hydroxylamines do, (ii) it had an identical UV spectrum and chromatographic properties as a species formed upon reduction of 2-nitro-PhIP by NADPH P-450 reductase. This product displayed a major peak at m/z 241 during thermospray mass spectrometry in the positive-ion mode as would be expected from 2-hydroxamino-PhIP. 2-Hydroxamino-PhIP was directly genotoxic both to TA98 and V79 cells. The genotoxic activity of the medium after removing the hepatocytes remained stable for several hours. Compared to 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinolone (MeIQ), PhIP caused a much larger increase in DNA damage in V79 cells (with hepatocyte activation), whereas MeIQ was more potent with respect to DNA damage induced in hepatocytes and bacteria.

Role of P-450 activity and glutathione levels in 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane tissue distribution, renal necrosis and in vivo DNA damage.

Treatments known to alter P-450 activity and glutathione levels were used to elucidate the involvement of P-450 and glutathione S-transferase metabolism in 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) organ toxicity in the rat. Phenobarbital pretreatment abolished DBCP-induced renal necrosis, whereas it had only a small effect on initial renal DNA damage. The DBCP levels in plasma and tissues were markedly reduced by phenobarbital pretreatment. Perdeuterated DBCP had much higher plasma and tissue levels than protio-DBCP in phenobarbital-pretreated animals, but perdeuteration was without effect in uninduced animals. This indicates that P-450 metabolism of DBCP is of major importance only in phenobarbital-pretreated animals. In order to study the effects of decreased glutathione levels on renal distribution and toxicity, rats were pretreated with either diethyl maleate or buthionine sulfoximine. The DBCP levels in plasma and tissues showed transitory elevations after diethyl maleate and buthionine sulfoximine pretreatment compared to the control situation. Despite the fact that diethyl maleate and buthionine sulfoximine pretreatments are known to block DBCP-induced DNA damage in vitro, these pretreatments did not significantly alter DBCP-induced renal necrosis nor DNA damage. Thus, a role for glutathione conjugation in DBCP-induced in vivo renal toxicity could not be established in the present study.

Different mechanisms are involved in DNA damage, bacterial mutagenicity and cytotoxicity induced by 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in suspensions of rat liver cells.

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) induced DNA damage, measured by an automated alkaline elution method, in suspensions of rat liver parenchymal cells at low concentrations (1-10 microM). At much higher concentrations (0.5-2.5 mM), DBCP was metabolized to products that were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA100 co-incubated with the liver cells. At these higher concentrations a marked depletion of cellular glutathione was seen and at 2.5 mM DBCP was cytotoxic. Perdeuterated DBCP (D5-DBCP) caused less DNA damage in the liver cells than DBCP, most likely because of decrease in cytochrome P-450 dependent metabolism. A more pronounced decrease in mutagenicity occurred with D5-DBCP compared to DBCP, whereas the two compounds were equally cytotoxic. Preincubation of the liver cells with diethylmaleate or buthionine sulfoximine, to lower cellular levels of glutathione, decreased DBCP induced DNA damage. The decrease in DNA damage was proportional to the decrease in cellular glutathione levels. In contrast, diethylmaleate enhanced DBCP-induced bacterial mutagenicity and cellular cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effect could be partly blocked by addition of ascorbate. From the data presented we suggest that: (i) cytochrome P-450 dependent oxidation as well as glutathione conjugation are involved in DBCP induced DNA damage, (ii) cytochrome P-450 dependent oxidation leads to formation of products mutagenic to bacteria and (iii) the cytotoxicity induced by DBCP in the liver cells in vitro is caused by oxidative damage following glutathione depletion and/or direct membrane damage.