Computer automated structure evaluation of the carcinogenicity of N-nitrosothiazolidine and N-nitrosothiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid

Mechanistic Insights Gained from an Analysis of Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with the Computer Automated Structure Evaluation System

The Computer Automated Structure Evaluation System (CASE) was used to identify the structural components responsible for either the mutagenicity or the carcinogenicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These were found not to overlap and some of the structural components were endowed with much more biological activity than others.

A study was then undertaken to determine whether these structural features could explain the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). It was found that the structures identified by CASE could explain the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Moreover, the identified structures were entirely consistent with recent findings on the metabolism and DNA adduct formation of DMBA.

These results are taken to indicate that CASE can be used to identify the structures in a molecule (e.g., PAH) that are sites of metabolism. Laboratory studies can then focus on that portion of the molecule.

N-Nitroso compounds in the diet

N-Nitroso compounds were known almost 40 years ago to be present in food treated with sodium nitrite, which made fish meal hepatotoxic to animals through formation of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Since that time, N-nitroso compounds have been shown in animal experiments to be the most broadly acting and the most potent group of carcinogens. The key role of nitrite and nitrogen oxides in forming N-nitroso compounds by interaction with secondary and tertiary amino compounds has led to the examination worldwide of foods for the presence of N-nitroso compounds, which have been found almost exclusively in those foods containing nitrite or which have become exposed to nitrogen oxides. Among these are cured meats, especially bacon-and especially when cooked; concentrations of 100 micrograms kg(-1) have been found or, more usually, near 10 micrograms kg(-1). This would correspond to consumption of 1 microgram of NDMA in a 100-g portion. Much higher concentrations of NDMA (but lower ones of other nitrosamines) have been found in Japanese smoked and cured fish (more than 100 micrograms kg(-1)). Beer is one source of NDMA, in which as much as 70 micrograms l(-1) has been reported in some types of German beer, although usual levels are much lower (10 or 5 micrograms l(-1)); this could mean a considerable intake for a heavy beer drinker of several liters per day. Levels of nitrosamines have been declining during the past three decades, concurrent with a lowering of the nitrite used in food and greater control of exposure of malt to nitrogen oxides in beer making. There have been declines of N-nitroso compound concentrations in many foods during the past two decades. The small amounts of nitrosamines in food are nonetheless significant because of the possibility-even likelihood-that humans are more sensitive to these carcinogens than are laboratory rodents. Although it is probable that alkylnitrosamides (which induce brain tumors in rodents) are present in cured meats and other potentially nitrosated products in spite of much searching, there has been only limited indirect evidence of their presence.

Metabolism of N-nitroso-1,3-thiazolidine in the rat

[2-14C]N-nitroso-1,3-thiazolidine (125 mg/kg body weight) administered by gavage to rats was excreted mostly (81% of the dose) in the urine with a smaller amount (7%) in respired air. The major metabolite in the urine (77.2%) was 2-hydroxy-1,3-thiazolidine and minor quantities of the isomers 4- and 5-hydroxy-1,3-thiazolidine were also detected. The presence of hydroxy-1,3-thiazolidine, determined using mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, indicated that alpha-hydroxylation and denitrosation are major metabolic pathways of N-nitroso-1,3-thiazolidine. Analysis of the non-acidic urine extract with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using untreated on-column injection and heated split injection gave differing results. Compounds detected using the latter technique may have been artefacts formed by pyrolysis in the heated injection port. Analysis of the metabolites by direct probe mass spectrometry (unheated) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy supported the results seen with on-column GC-MS.

CASE, the computer-automated structure evaluation system, as an alternative to extensive animal testing

CASE, an artificial intelligence system with demonstrated ability to predict biological activity based on structural considerations, correctly predicts animal carcinogenicity. It can, therefore, play a pivotal role in classifying chemicals as carcinogens and prioritizing them for further testing. Additionally, CASE shows promise in the design of pharmacologically active agents by reducing the number of drugs that need to be synthesized and tested. For both of these applications, CASE provides a mechanism to conserve animal and other testing resources.

CASE, the computer-automated structure evaluation method, correctly predicts the low mutagenicity for Salmonella of nitrated cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Recently Goldring et al. [Mutation Res., 187 (1987) 67-77] reported the synthesis and purification of a series of nitro-substituted cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. On the basis of expected charge distributions, these chemicals were predicted to be potent mutagens and, yet, contrary to expectation, they were found to be only weakly mutagenic for Salmonella. In their discussion, the authors suggest that application of CASE, an artificial intelligence system recently developed in these laboratories, would also not predict the low mutagenicity of this group of chemicals. In the present report, it is shown that CASE, in fact, correctly predicts the low mutagenicity of nitro-substituted cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.