Mechanisms of 1,3-butadiene oxidations to butadiene monoxide and crotonaldehyde by mouse liver microsomes and chloroperoxidase

Differences in the torsional anharmonicity between reactant and transition state: the case of 3-butenal + H abstraction reactions

Thermal rate coefficients for the hydrogen-abstraction reactions of 3-butenal by a hydrogen atom were obtained applying multipath canonical variational theory with small-curvature tunneling (MP-CVT/SCT). Torsional anharmonicity due to the hindered rotors was taken into account by calculating the rovibrational partition function using the extended two-dimensional torsional (E2DT) method. For comparison, rovibrational partition functions were also estimated using the multistructural method with torsional anharmonicity based on a coupled torsional potential (MS-T(C)). By contrast, with (E)-2-butenal reactions, the abstraction reactions of 3-butenal proceed via five reaction channels (R1)-(R5). In a conformational search, 45 distinguishable structures of transition states were found, including enantiomers, which were separated into six conformational reaction channels (CRCs). The individual reactive paths were constructed, the recrossing and semiclassical transmission coefficients estimated, and the multipath rate constants were obtained. High torsional barriers between the wells of CRC2/CRC6 indicate a harmonic behavior. Consequently, a difference between the torsional anharmonicity of 3-butenal and the transition states is responsible for the increase in the thermal rate constants for channel (R2). Analysis of the contributions of each conformer of the transition state shows an important contribution of the high-energy rotamers in the total flux of (R1)-(R5). After fitting the rate constants in a four-parameter equation, the activation energy estimation showed a strong temperature dependence.

Crotonaldehyde exposure in U.S. tobacco smokers and nonsmokers: NHANES 2005-2006 and 2011-2012

INTRODUCTION

Crotonaldehyde is an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound that is a potent eye, respiratory, and skin irritant. Crotonaldehyde is a major constituent of tobacco smoke and its exposure can be quantified using its urinary metabolite N-acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl-1-methyl)-L-cysteine (HPMM). A large-scale biomonitoring study is needed to determine HPMM levels, as a measure of crotonaldehyde exposure, in the general U.S.

POPULATION

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Urine samples were obtained as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006 and 2011-2012 from participants who were at least six-years-old (N = 4692). Samples were analyzed for HPMM using ultra performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry. Exclusive tobacco smokers were distinguished from non- tobacco users through a combination of self-reporting and serum cotinine data.

RESULTS

Detection rate of HPMM among eligible samples was 99.9%. Sample-weighted, median urinary HPMM levels for smokers and non-users were 1.61 and 0.313 mg/g creatinine, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis among smokers showed that HPMM was positively associated with serum cotinine, after controlling for survey year, urinary creatinine, age, sex, race, poverty level, body mass index, pre-exam fasting time, and food intake. Other significant predictors of urinary HPMM include sex (female > male), age (children > non-user adults), race (non-Hispanic Blacks < non-Hispanic Whites).

CONCLUSIONS

This study characterizes U.S. population exposure to crotonaldehyde and confirms that tobacco smoke is a major exposure source. Urinary HPMM levels were significantly higher among exclusive combusted tobacco users compared to non-users, and serum cotinine and cigarettes per day were significant predictors of increased urinary HPMM. This study also found that sex, age, ethnicity, pre-exam fasting time, and fruit consumption are related to urinary HPMM levels.

Acute exposure to crotonaldehyde induces dysfunction of immune system in male Wistar rats

Crotonaldehyde is a ubiquitous air pollutant in the environment. It is reported to be harmful to the biosystems in vivo and in vitro. The exposure to crotonaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes and induces edema, hyperemia, cell necrosis, inflammation, and acute respiratory distress syndrome in the lungs. However, the effects of crotonaldehyde on the immune system have not been reported. In the present study, 6-8 weeks old male Wistar rats were exposed to crotonaldehyde by intratracheal instillation at doses of 4, 8, and 16 μL/kg body weight (b.w.). The general damage in the animals was investigated; the cell counting and the biochemical analysis in the peripheral blood were tested. Furthermore, we investigated the functions of alveolar macrophages (AMs), the alterations of the T-lymphocyte subsets, and the cell composition in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We found that the activities of the animals were changed after exposure to crotonaldehyde, the cellular ratios and the biochemical components in the peripheral blood were altered, the ratio of mononuclear phagocytes decreased, and the ratios of lymphocytes and granulocytes elevated significantly in BALF. Meanwhile, crotonaldehyde altered the ratio of the T-lymphocyte subsets, and the phagocytic rates and indices of AMs increased obviously. In conclusion, crotonaldehyde induces dysfunction of immune system in male Wistar rats.

Determination of two mercapturic acids related to crotonaldehyde in human urine: influence of smoking

Crotonaldehyde, an αβ-unsaturated aldehyde, and a potent alkylating agent, is present in many foods and beverages, ambient air and tobacco smoke. A previous study indicated that two metabolites, 3-hydroxy-1- methylpropylmercapturic acid (HMPMA) and 2-carboxy1-1-methylethylmercapturic acid (CMEMA), were excreted in rat urine after subcutaneous injection of crotonaldehyde. Herein, we report the development of a method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and deuterated analytes as internal standards, for the determination of HMPMA and CMEMA in human urine. The limits of quantification of the method were 92 and 104 ng/mL for HMPMA and CMEMA, respectively. The calibration curves for both compounds were linear up to 7500 ng/mL with R2 >0.99. It was found that cigarette smokers excreted about three to five-fold more HMPMA, and only slightly elevated amounts of CMEMA, in their urine compared to non-smokers. In smokers, we also found significant correlations between the urinary excretion levels of HMPMA (but not CMEMA) and several markers of exposure for smoking, including the daily cigarette consumption, carbon monoxide in exhaled breath, salivary cotinine, and nicotine plus five of its major metabolites in urine. Smoking cessation or switching from smoking conventional cigarettes to experimental cigarettes with lower crotonaldehyde delivery led to significant reductions of urinary HMPMA excretion, but not CMEMA excretion. Alcohol consumption did not influence either urinary HMPMA or CMEMA excretion. We conclude that HMPMA is a potentially useful biomarker for smoking-related exposure to crotonaldehyde.

Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of 1-chloro-2-hydroxy-3-butene and 1-chloro-3-buten-2-one, two alternative metabolites of 1,3-butadiene

The cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of 1-chloro-2-hydroxy-3-butene (CHB), a known in vitro metabolite of the human carcinogen 1,3-butadiene, have not previously been investigated. Because CHB can be bioactivated by alcohol dehydrogenases to yield 1-chloro-3-buten-2-one (CBO), a bifunctional alkylating agent that caused globin-chain cross-links in erythrocytes, in the present study we investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of CHB and CBO in human normal hepatocyte L02 cells using the MTT assay, the relative cloning efficiency assay and the comet assay. We also investigated the mutagenic potential of these compounds with the Ames test using Salmonella strains TA1535 and TA1537. The results provide clear evidence for CHB and CBO being both cytotoxic and genotoxic with CBO being approximately 100-fold more potent than CHB. Interestingly, CHB generated both single-strand breaks and alkali-labile sites on DNA, whereas CBO produced only alkali-labile sites. CHB did not directly result in DNA breaks, whereas CBO was capable of directly generating breaks on DNA. Interestingly, both compounds did not induce DNA cross-links as examined by the comet assay. The Ames test results showed that CHB induced point mutation but not frameshift mutation, whereas the toxic effects of CBO made it difficult to reliably assess the mutagenic potential of CBO in the two strains. Collectively, the results suggest that CHB and CBO may play a role in the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of 1,3-butadiene.

Simultaneous detection of five different 2-hydroxyethyl-DNA adducts formed by ethylene oxide exposure, using a high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry assay

A method has been developed for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of five different 2-hydroxyethyl-DNA (HE-DNA) adducts that could be formed as a result of exposure to ethylene oxide (EO). In addition to the major N7-HE-guanine (N7-HEG) adducts this assay can also measure the less prevalent but potentially more biologically significant N1-HE-2'-deoxyadenosine (N1-HEdA), O(6)-HE-2'-deoxyguanosine (O(6)-HEdG), N(6)-HE-2'-deoxyadenosine (N(6)-HEdA) and N3-HE-2'-deoxyuridine adducts (N3-HEdU). The method involves the isolation of HE adducts from the unmodified nucleosides by either neutral thermal hydrolysis or enzymatic digestion, followed by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) purification, before detection and quantification by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) using selective reaction monitoring (SRM). The limits of detection were in the range 0.5-25 fmol for each individual adduct, making this one of the most sensitive assays available for the detection of N7-HEG. To illustrate the possible applications of the assay, it has been employed in the measurement of endogenous/background and EO-induced HE adducts in a variety of DNA samples.

17O NMR study of oxo metalloporphyrin complexes: Correlation with electronic structure of MO moiety

(17)O NMR spectroscopy of oxo ligand of oxo metalloporphyrin can be considered as an excellent means to derive information about structure, electronic state, and reactivity of the metal bound oxo ligand. To show the utility of (17)O NMR spectroscopy of oxo ligand of oxo metalloporphyrin, (17)O NMR spectra of oxo ligands of dioxo ruthenium(VI), oxo chromium(IV), and oxo titanium(IV) porphyrins are measured. For all oxo metalloporphyrins, well-resolved (17)O NMR signals are detected in far high frequency region. The (17)O NMR signal of the metal bound oxo ligand shifts high frequency in order of Ru(VI)<Ti(IV)<Cr(IV), thus the (17)O NMR chemical shift does not directly correlate with the oxo-transfer reactivity, Ti(IV)<Cr(IV)<Ru(VI). On the other hand, the (17)O NMR shift of oxo ligand correlates with the bond strength of metal-oxo bond. This suggests that the (17)O NMR signal of metal bound oxo ligand is a sensitive probe to study the nature of metal-oxo bond in oxo metalloporphyrin. The effect of the electron-withdrawing meso-substituent on the (17)O NMR shift of the oxo ligand is also investigated. With increase in the electron-withdrawing effect of the meso-substituent, the (17)O NMR signal of the oxo ligand of oxo chromium(IV) porphyrin shifts high frequency while that of dioxo ruthenium(VI) porphyrin hardly change resonance position. The changes in metal-oxo bonds induced by the electron-withdrawing meso-substituent are discussed on the basis of the (17)O NMR shifts, the strengths of the metal-oxo bonds, and the oxo-transfer reaction rates.

Detection of carboxylic acids and inhibition of hippuric acid formation in rats treated with 3-butene-1,2-diol, a major metabolite of 1,3-butadiene

Epidemiological studies have indicated that 1,3-butadiene exposure is associated with an increased risk of leukemia. In human liver microsomes, 1,3-butadiene is rapidly oxidized to butadiene monoxide, which can then be hydrolyzed to 3-butene-1,2-diol (BDD). In this study, BDD and several potential metabolites were characterized in the urine of male B6C3F1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats after BDD administration (i.p.). Rats given 1420 micromol kg(-1) BDD excreted significantly greater amounts of BDD relative to rats administered 710 micromol kg(-1) BDD. Rats administered 1420 or 2840 micromol kg(-1) BDD excreted significantly greater amounts of BDD per kilogram of body weight than mice given an equivalent dose. Trace amounts of 1-hydroxy-2-butanone and the carboxylic acid metabolites, crotonic acid, propionic acid, and 2-ketobutyric acid, were detected in mouse and rat urine after BDD administration. Because of the identification of the carboxylic acid metabolites and because of the known ability of carboxylic acids to conjugate coenzyme A, which is critical for hippuric acid formation, the effect of BDD treatment on hippuric acid concentrations was investigated. Rats given 1420 or 2272 micromol kg(-1) BDD had significantly elevated ratios of benzoic acid to hippuric acid in the urine after treatment compared with control urine. However, this effect was not observed in mice administered 1420 or 2840 micromol kg(-1) BDD. Collectively, the results demonstrate species differences in the urinary excretion of BDD and show that BDD administration in rats inhibits hippuric acid formation. The detection of 1-hydroxy-2-butanone and the carboxylic acids also provides insight regarding pathways of BDD metabolism in vivo.

First-pass metabolism of 1,3-butadiene in once-through perfused livers of rats and mice

First-pass metabolism of 1,3-butadiene (BD) leading to 1,2-epoxy-3-butene (EB), 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB), 3-butene-1,2-diol (B-diol), 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EBD) and crotonaldehyde (CA) was studied quantitatively in the once-through BD perfused liver of mouse and rat by means of an all-glass gas-tight perfusion system. Metabolites were analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with mass selective detection. The perfusate consisted of Krebs-Henseleit buffer (pH 7.4) containing bovine erythrocytes (40%v/v) and BD. The perfusion flow rates through the livers were 3-4 ml/min (mouse) and 17-20 ml/min (rat). The BD concentrations in the liver perfusates were 330 nmol/ml (mouse) and 240 nmol/ml (rat) being high enough to reach almost saturation of BD metabolism. The mean rates of BD transformation were about 0.014 and 0.055 mmol/h per liver of a mouse and a rat, respectively, being similar to the values expected from in-vivo measurements. There were marked species differences in the formation of BD metabolites. In the effluent of mouse livers, all three epoxides (EB: 9.4 nmol/ml; DEB: 0.06 nmol/ml; EBD: 0.07 nmol/ml) and B-diol (8.2 nmol/ml) were detected. In the perfusate leaving naïve rat livers, only EB and B-diol were found. In that of rat liver, EB concentration was 8.5 times smaller than in that of mouse liver, whereas B-diol concentrations were similar in the effluent liver perfusate of both species. CA was below the limit of its detection (60 nmol/l) in the liver perfusate of mice and of naïve rats. Of BD metabolized, the sum of the metabolites investigated in the effluent amounted to only 30% (mouse) and 20% (rat). In first experiments with rat liver, glutathione (GSH) was depleted by pretreating the animals with diethylmaleate. With the exception of EBD (not quantifiable due to an interfering peak), all other metabolites including CA were found in the effluent perfusate summing up to about 70 and 100% of BD metabolized, which indicates the quantitative importance of the GSH dependent metabolism. In summary, the results demonstrate the relevance of an intrahepatic first-pass metabolism for metabolic intermediates of BD, which undergo further transformation immediately after their production in the liver before leaving this organ. Hitherto, the occurrence of this first-pass metabolism was only hypothesized. The findings will help to explain the drastic species difference between mice and rats in the carcinogenic potency of BD.

Cellular and molecular basis for species, sex and tissue differences in 1,3-butadiene metabolism

Species differences in 1,3-butadiene (BD) bioactivation and detoxication have been implicated in the greater sensitivity of mice to the carcinogenic effects of BD compared to rats, but the molecular basis for species differences in BD metabolism is not well understood. Previous and recent work conducted in this laboratory has examined the relative rates of BD oxidation to epoxybutene (EB) in male and female B6C3F1 mouse tissues, characterized the major cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in BD bioactivation in these tissues, and determined the potential utility of the freshly isolated hepatocyte model to investigate species differences in metabolism of BD and related compounds. Collectively, the results suggest a role for P450s 2E1, 2A5, and 4B1 in sex and tissue differences in BD bioactivation in the mouse. When coordinated metabolism of EB was investigated in male B6C3F1 mouse and Sprague-Dawley rat hepatocytes, the hepatocytes from both species were found to catalyze EB oxidation to meso- and (+/-)-diepoxybutane (DEB), EB hydrolysis to 3-butene-1,2-diol (BDD), and EB conjugation to form GSH conjugates (GSEB). The metabolite area under the curve (AUC) exhibited dependence on the EB concentration used. However, the EB activation/detoxication ratios with the mouse hepatocytes were much higher than the ratios obtained with the rat hepatocytes. These results illustrate the potential utility of the hepatocyte model for estimating flux through competing metabolic pathways and predicting in-vivo metabolism of EB. Collectively, the results may allow a better understanding of the molecular and kinetic basis of species differences in BD metabolism and may lead to a more accurate assessment of human risk.

Gas chromatographic determination of 3-butene-1,2-diol in urine samples after 1,3-butadiene exposure

1,3-Butadiene is an important industrial chemical and a common environmental contaminant. Because of its suspected carcinogenicity butadiene-related research has gained high activity. The obvious lack of knowledge so far has been that a biomonitoring method that can detect at least one of the metabolites of butadiene from body fluids or excretas does not exist. In this communication we describe a robust and simple analytical method which can be applied for biomonitoring purposes. We have developed a method that can detect 3-butene-1,2-diol in urine samples of rats inhalation-exposed to various concentrations of 1,3-butadiene. The method is based on liquid-liquid extraction and subsequent gas chromatographic analysis. The extraction efficiency of 3-butene-1,2-diol at a concentration of 2.2 microg/ml was 95% (SD=+/-3%, n=3) and was achieved by using sodium chloride saturation and isopropanol as an extracting solvent. The standard deviation of the gas chromatographic analysis was +/-2% (n=12), the limit of detection was 0.08 microg/ml, the limit of quantitation was 0.11 microg/ml (SD=+/-4.8%, n=3) and the analysis was observed to be linear from 0.11 to 486 microg/ml (R=0.9987). Animals exposed to 1,3-butadiene showed a linear excretion of 3-butene-1,2-diol into urine as a function of butadiene exposure. During the exposure saturation of metabolism or accumulation of 1,3-butadiene or 3-butene-1,2-diol into the body was not observed in any exposure levels used.

Butadiene: species comparison for metabolism and genetic toxicology

The synthetic monomer 1,3-butadiene and its metabolites have been reviewed in various in vitro and in vivo metabolic studies and in genetic toxicology assays. The species differences have been compared.

Epoxybutene-hemoglobin adducts in rats and mice: dose response for formation and persistence during and following long-term low-level exposure to butadiene

Measurement of specific adducts to hemoglobin can be used to establish the dosimetry of electrophilic compounds and metabolites in experimental animals and in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose response for adduct formation and persistence in rats and mice during long-term low-level exposure to butadiene by inhalation. Adducts of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene, the primary metabolite of butadiene, with N-terminal valine in hemoglobin were determined in male B6C3F1 mice and male Sprague-Dawley rats following exposure to 0, 2, 10, or 100 ppm of 1,3-butadiene, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected from groups of five mice and three rats at the end of each week during the 4 weeks of exposure and weekly for 3 weeks following the end of the 4-week exposure period. The increase and decrease, respectively, of the adduct levels during and following the end of the 4-week exposure followed closely the theoretical curve for adduct accumulation and removal for rats and mice, thereby demonstrating that the adducts are chemically stable in vivo and that the elimination follows the turnover of the red blood cells. The adduct level increased linearly with butadiene exposure concentration in the mice, whereas a deviation from linearity was observed in the rats. For example, after exposure to 100 ppm butadiene, the epoxybutene-hemoglobin adduct levels were about four times higher in mice than in rats; at lower concentrations of butadiene, the species difference was less pronounced. Blood concentrations of epoxybutene, estimated from hemoglobin adduct levels, were in general agreement with reported concentrations in mice and rats exposed by inhalation to 62.5 ppm. These studies show that adducts of epoxybutene with N-terminal valine in hemoglobin can be used to predict blood concentration of epoxybutene in experimental animals.

Oxidation of 1,3-butadiene to (R)- and (S)-butadiene monoxide by purified recombinant cytochrome P450 2E1 from rabbit, rat and human

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a gas used widely in the rubber and plastics industry as an intermediate in production processes and has been detected in automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke. BD requires metabolic activation to exert toxicity and has been shown to be carcinogenic in rodents. IARC has classified BD as a group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) carcinogen. The initial oxidation of BD to butadiene monoxide (BMO) occurs primarily via cytochrome P450 2E1 and two stereoisomers of BMO (R and S) can be formed. (R) and (S)-BMO are metabolized differently and demonstrate markedly different toxicities in isolated rat hepatocytes. This work examined the generation of (R) and (S)-BMO from BD by cytochrome P450 2E1 from rabbit, rat and human. BMO level was measured by GC-MS analysis and enantiomeric composition was determined by GC-FID. The greatest rate of formation of BMO from BD was obtained with rabbit cytochrome P4502E1 followed by human and then by rat. Enantiomeric distribution of R and S-BMO produced by the three species demonstrated no significant differences.

Characterization of differing effects caused by homeopathically prepared and conventional dilutions using cytochrome P450 2E1 and other enzymes as detection systems

Determination of cytochrome P450 2E1 activity was carried out via hydroxylation of the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenol to p-nitrocatechol. Crude microsomal preparation isolated from rat liver served as source for cytochrome P450 2E1. Under assay conditions guaranteeing a linear course of the reaction the cytochrome P450 2E1 was stimulated in the presence of a 10(-6) dilution of As2O3 corresponding to 0.915 microM final concentration compared with control. All other concentrations of As2O3 used inhibited the enzyme activity more or less drastically. Furthermore, we used this enzyme system to study the influence of arsenicum album (As2O3) and potassium cyanatum (KCN) in homeopathically prepared (i.e., by consecutive 1:10 steps) and conventional dilutions. We found significant differences between the effects caused by homeopathic potencies (D) and equally concentrated dilutions on catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 2E1. Such differing effects were observed in the case of arsenicum album (As2O3) between D4/10(-4) and D6/10(-6) and in the case of potassium cyanatum (KCN) between D6/10(-6) and D12/10(-12). When we used glutathione-S-transferases and uricase we also found different effects mediated by potencies and conventional dilutions. The results obtained suggest that these three enzyme systems are appropriate detection systems to hunt out differing effects of differently prepared dilutions of specific test substances.

Metabolism of 1,3-butadiene: species differences

Species differences in the metabolism of 1,3-butadiene (BD) have been studied in an effort to explain the major differences observed in the responses of mice, the sensitive species, and rats, the resistant species, to the toxicity of inhaled BD. BD is metabolized by the same metabolic pathways in all species studied, but there are major species differences in the quantitative aspects of those pathways. Of the species studied, mice are the most efficient at metabolizing BD to the initial metabolite, the monoepoxide (BDO). Mice either convert most of the BDO to the diepoxide (BDO2), the most mutagenic of the BD metabolites, or form conjugates of the BDO with glutathione (GSH). Rats, on the other hand, are less active at forming BDO, oxidize very little of the BDO to BDO2, and form GSH conjugates with either the BDO or its hydrolysis product, butenediol. Primates convert even less of inhaled BD to BDO and hydrolyze most of the BDO to the butenediol. The extent to which primates form BDO2 is unknown. Because of the association of high levels of the highly mutagenic BDO2 with the sensitive rodent strain, it is important to determine the production of this metabolite in primates, particularly humans.

Future research needs for non-cancer and cancer effects among populations exposed to 1,3-butadiene

In the last decade there has been in-depth research into understanding the health effects of 1,3-butadiene in humans and in animals. With increasing knowledge of metabolism, pharmacokinetics and mechanism of action studied in animals, the uncertainties in risk assessment will be lessened. Still, some data gaps exist which, if filled, will be useful for meaningful risk assessments for the general population. This paper discusses the future needs for research in both non-cancer and cancer effects.

Biochemistry of 1,3-butadiene metabolism and its relevance to 1,3-butadiene-induced carcinogenicity

Recently, the roles of specific P450 isoforms, myeloperoxidase (MPO), GSH-S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase in the metabolism of 1,3-butadiene, and its major oxidative metabolite, butadiene monoxide (BM), were investigated. The results provided evidence for P450s 2A6 and 2E1 being major catalysts of 1,3-butadiene oxidation in human liver microsomes. cDNA-expressed human P450s 2E1, 2A6, and 2C9 catalyzed BM oxidation to meso- and (+/-)-diepoxybutane (DEB), but the rates of BM oxidation in mouse, rat, or human liver microsomes were much lower than the rates of 1,3-butadiene oxidation in these tissues. Human MPO catalyzed 1,3-butadiene oxidation to BM, but MPO incubations with BM did not yield DEB. Rates of BM formation in mouse and human liver microsomes were similar and were nearly 3.4-fold higher than that obtained with rat liver microsomes. However, rat liver epoxide hydrolase activity was nearly 2-fold higher than that of mouse liver microsomes. Rat and mouse liver GSH-S-transferases exhibited similar BM conjugation kinetics, but rats excreted more BM-mercapturic acids compared to mice given low equimolar doses of BM. BM reacted with guanosine and adenosine to yield N7-, N2-, and N1-guanosinyl and N6-adenosinyl adducts, respectively. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical basis of 1,3-butadiene-induced carcinogenicity.

Metabolism of 1,3-butadiene to butadiene monoxide in mouse and human bone marrow cells

1,3-Butadiene (BD), a gas used in the production of rubber and plastics, induces a high incidence of leukemias and lymphomas in B6C3F1 mice. Because of the potential involvement of the hematopoietic system in response to BD, we have examined metabolism of BD by B6C3F1 mouse and human bone marrow and by purified human myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme rich in bone marrow. BD was metabolized to butadiene monoxide (BMO) by MPO and by mouse and human bone marrow cells. In all of these systems metabolism was stimulated by hydrogen peroxide suggesting a peroxidase-mediated process. In B6C3F1 mouse bone marrow cell lysates, hydrogen peroxide but not NADPH stimulated metabolism suggesting that cytochrome P450 was not involved in BMO formation. Metabolism of BD to BMO in hydrogen peroxide-fortified mouse bone marrow cell lysates was more than two orders of magnitude lower than in either NADPH-fortified rat or mouse hepatic microsomes. Experiments using both mouse and human bone marrow cells showed that cells from both sources could generate BMO from BD. These data show that BD can be converted to BMO in a target organ of BD carcinogenicity.

Chemical suppression of a subpopulation of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells: 1,3-butadiene produces a hematopoietic defect similar to steel or white spotted mutations in mice

Chronic exposure of mice to 1,3-butadiene produces a macrocytic-megaloblastic anemia, thymic hypoplasia, and an increased incidence of T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. This is reminiscent of pathologies observed in mice bearing mutations at the W and Sl loci, which are deficient in c-kit and c-kit ligand (CKL), respectively. The influence of 3,4-epoxybutene (EB), the primary metabolite of 1,3-butadiene, on the colony-forming response of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) from C57BL/6, Sl, and W mice was investigated in order to elucidate the role of altered HPC regulation in the pathogenesis of 1,3-butadiene toxicity. EB pretreatment suppressed interleukin 3 colony formation and abrogated CKL synergism of the granulocyte-macrophage/colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) response in C57BL/6 cells, had no effect on colony formation induced by GM-CSF or granulocyte/colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone, and failed to suppress CKL-induced synergism of the G-CSF response. Experiments conducted with cells from Sl and W mice revealed that they lack the same primitive HPC targeted by EB. EB pretreatment in vitro and butadiene exposure in vivo mimic hematopoietic defects seen in W and Sl mice, suggesting that the pleotypic pathologies encountered in these murine models may be largely due to a common defect in primitive HPCs. Susceptibility to EB appears to define a functional subpopulation of primitive HPCs and illustrates that differences observed in the susceptibility of specific cytokine responses to chemical/drug exposure may provide a valuable tool for characterizing functional subpopulations of HPCs.