Promoting effects of combined antioxidant and sodium nitrite treatment on forestomach carcinogenesis in rats after initiation with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Vascular effects of dietary nitrate (as found in green leafy vegetables and beetroot) via the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway

The discovery that dietary (inorganic) nitrate has important vascular effects came from the relatively recent realization of the 'nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO) pathway'. Dietary nitrate has been demonstrated to have a range of beneficial vascular effects, including reducing blood pressure, inhibiting platelet aggregation, preserving or improving endothelial dysfunction, enhancing exercise performance in healthy individuals and patients with peripheral arterial disease. Pre-clinical studies with nitrate or nitrite also show the potential to protect against ischaemia-reperfusion injury and reduce arterial stiffness, inflammation and intimal thickness. However, there is a need for good evidence for hard endpoints beyond epidemiological studies. Whilst these suggest reduction in cardiovascular risk with diets high in nitrate-rich vegetables (such as a Mediterranean diet), others have suggested possible small positive and negative associations with dietary nitrate and cancer, but these remain unproven. Interactions with other nutrients, such as vitamin C, polyphenols and fatty acids may enhance or inhibit these effects. In order to provide simple guidance on nitrate intake from different vegetables, we have developed the Nitrate 'Veg-Table' with 'Nitrate Units' [each unit being 1 mmol of nitrate (62 mg)] to achieve a nitrate intake that is likely to be sufficient to derive benefit, but also to minimize the risk of potential side effects from excessive ingestion, given the current available evidence. The lack of data concerning the long term effects of dietary nitrate is a limitation, and this will need to be addressed in future trials.

Sequence-specific DNA damage by reactive oxygen species: Implications for carcinogenesis and aging

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by environmental chemicals can cause sequence-specific DNA damage, which may lead to carcinogenesis and aging. We investigated the mechanism of DNA damage by environmental chemicals (catechol, propyl gallate and bisphenol-A), homocysteine and UVA radiation using human cultured cell lines and(32)P-labeled DNA fragments. Carcinogenic catechol induced piperidine-labile sites frequently at thymine residues in the presence of Cu(II) and NADH. Furthermore, catechol increased the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a characteristic oxidative DNA lesion, in human leukemia cell line HL-60, but not in HP100, a hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-resistant cell line derived from HL-60. Thus, it is concluded that oxidative DNA damage through generation of H(2)O(2) plays an important role in the carcinogenic process of catechol. In addition, an environmental factor, bisphenol-A, and a dietary factor, propyl, gallate, also induced sequence-specific DNA damage via ROS generation.UVA, as well as UVB, contributes to photoaging. In humans, telomere shortening is believed to be associated with cell senescence. In this study, we investigated the shortening rate of telomeres in human WI-38 fibroblasts exposed to UVA irradiation. The telomere length (as measured by terminal restriction fragment length) in WI-38 fibroblasts irradiated with UVA decreased with increasing the irradiation dose. UVA irradiation with riboflavin caused damage specifically at the GGG sequence in the DNA fragments containing telomere sequence (TTAGGG)(4). We concluded that the GGG-specific damage in telomere sequence induced by UVA irradiation participates in the increase of the telomere shortening rate.In this report, we show our experimental results and discuss the mechanisms of sequence-specific DNA damage in relation to carcinogenesis and aging.

Inorganic nitrite therapy: historical perspective and future directions

Over the past several years, investigators studying nitric oxide (NO) biology and metabolism have come to learn that the one-electron oxidation product of NO, nitrite anion, serves as a unique player in modulating tissue NO bioavailability. Numerous studies have examined how this oxidized metabolite of NO can act as a salvage pathway for maintaining NO equivalents through multiple reduction mechanisms in permissive tissue environments. Moreover, it is now clear that nitrite anion production and distribution throughout the body can act in an endocrine manner to augment NO bioavailability, which is important for physiological and pathological processes. These discoveries have led to renewed hope and efforts for an effective NO-based therapeutic agent through the unique action of sodium nitrite as an NO prodrug. More recent studies also indicate that sodium nitrate may also increase plasma nitrite levels via the enterosalivary circulatory system resulting in nitrate reduction to nitrite by microorganisms found within the oral cavity. In this review, we discuss the importance of nitrite anion in several disease models along with an appraisal of sodium nitrite therapy in the clinic, potential caveats of such clinical uses, and future possibilities for nitrite-based therapies.

Induction effect of coadministration of soybean isoflavones and sodium nitrite on DNA damage in mouse stomach

We have already found that nitrite-treated isoflavones exhibit genotoxic activities toward Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 and 98 strains (submitted: nitrite-treated genistein). However, we have not demonstrated genotoxic activity induced by simultaneous treatment with isoflavones and NaNO(2)in vivo. In the present study, we examined whether coadministration of isoflavones (such as daidzein and genistein) and NaNO(2) induces DNA damage in the stomach of ICR male mice. Mice were coadministered with isoflavones (1mg/kg body weight) and NaNO(2) (10mg/kg body weight), and dissected to collect tissues at 1, 3, and 6h after administration. We used comet assay combined with repair enzyme formamidopyrimidine-N-glycosylase (FPG) to detect FPG-sensitive sites. An HPLC-ECD system was employed to determine 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in the stomach. In addition, we observed leukocyte infiltration by histopathological investigation, and measured total superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the stomach. We confirmed that oxidative DNA damage in the stomach was significantly increased by coadministration. Total SOD activities were also significantly stimulated by coadministration. However, the induction of inflammation in the stomach was not found. These data suggest that coadministration of isoflavones and NaNO(2) can cause DNA damage in the stomach because of the formation of radicals.

Nutrition and gastric cancer risk: an update

Data from epidemiologic, experimental, and animal studies indicate that diet plays an important role in the etiology of gastric cancer. High intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, lycopene and lycopene-containing food products, and potentially vitamin C and selenium may reduce the risk for gastric cancer. Data also suggest that high intake of nitrosamines, processed meat products, salt and salted foods, and overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for gastric cancer. However, current data provide little support for an association of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and alcohol consumption with risk for gastric cancer.

Gallic acid, a metabolite of the antioxidant propyl gallate, inhibits gap junctional intercellular communication via phosphorylation of connexin 43 and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase1/2 in rat liver epithelial cells

Propyl gallate and its metabolite, gallic acid, are widely used as antioxidants in the food industry, but they have been shown to exhibit liver toxicity and enhance carcinogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the possible undesirable effects of propyl gallate and gallic acid on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), inhibition of which is closely linked to carcinogenesis. Gallic acid and propyl gallate exhibited dose-dependent free-radical-scavenging activities as determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl- or 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-radical-scavenging assays, and the free-radical-scavenging activity of gallic acid was stronger than that of propyl gallate. However, using WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells, gallic acid inhibited GJIC in a dose-dependent manner, while propyl gallate had no significant effect compared with untreated controls. The gallic-acid-induced inhibition of GJIC was reversible, with a recovery of nearly 65% after 120 min. Gallic acid induced the phosphorylation of connexin 43 (Cx43) and phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2). The gallic-acid-induced inhibition of GJIC was attenuated by treatment with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors (U0126 and PD098059). U0126 blocked the gallic-acid-induced phosphorylation of Cx43 and ERK1/2, indicating that the gallic-acid-induced inhibition of GJIC is mediated by phosphorylation of Cx43 via activation of ERK1/2. In addition, gallic-acid-induced inhibition of GJIC was protected by ascorbic acid and quercetin, which might represent a simple example of the different effects of natural antioxidants in carcinogenesis.

Enhancement of esophageal carcinogenesis in acid reflux model rats treated with ascorbic acid and sodium nitrite in combination with or without initiation

Combined treatment with sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and ascorbic acid (AsA) has already been shown to promote rat forestomach carcinogenesis, possibly due to nitric oxide generation under acidic conditions. We hypothesized that a similar effect might occur in the esophagus when the luminal pH is decreased by acid reflux. To clarify this possibility, reflux esophagitis model rats (F344 male) were coadministered 0.2% NaNO2 in the drinking water and 1% AsA in the diet. After 32 weeks of the combined treatment, a significant increase in the incidence of epithelial hyperplasias of the lower-middle and lowest parts of the esophagus were observed compared with the basal-diet group, along with exacerbation of dysplasia and extension of the lesions. Additionally, one squamous cell papilloma was found only in the combined-treatment group. Subsequently, we confirmed the enhancing effects of NaNO2 and AsA cotreatment in the rat N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine-initiated esophageal tumorigenesis model. The incidence of hyperplasia was enhanced in all segments, along with the incidence and multiplicity of squamous cell papillomas in the lowest segment of the esophagus. Thus, the data demonstrate that combined treatment with NaNO2 and AsA exerts promoting effects on rat esophageal carcinogenesis under acid reflux conditions, as in the forestomach. These findings suggest that the risk of excessive intake of a combination of nitrite and antioxidants for esophageal carcinogenesis is appreciable, particularly in patients with reflux esophagitis.

Combined treatment with green tea catechins and sodium nitrite selectively promotes rat forestomach carcinogenesis after initiation with N-methyl-N'- nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Combined treatment with several phenolic antioxidants and sodium nitrite (NaNO(2)) has already shown to enhance rat forestomach carcinogenesis. In the present experiment, effects of green tea catechins (GTC) alone or in combination with NaNO(2) on gastric carcinogenesis were investigated in a rat two-stage carcinogenesis model. Groups of eight, 6-week-old F344 male rats were given 0.01%N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in their drinking water and 5% NaCl in the diet for 10 weeks for glandular stomach initiation and a single intragastric administration of 100 mg/kg/bodyweight of MNNG at week 9 for forestomach initiation. From week 11, they received either drinking water containing 0.2% NaNO(2) and a diet supplemented with 1% GTC in combination, each individual chemical alone or a basal diet until the end of week 42. In the forestomach, incidences and multiplicities of neoplastic lesions were clearly increased by the combined treatment, in spite of GTC alone suppressing the occurrence of papillomas. In a short-term experiment with similar protocol without MNNG pretreatment, a significant increase of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in forestomach DNA occurred 24 h after the combined treatment, concomitant with erosion and inflammatory cell infiltration. In an in vitro study, electron spin resonance demonstrated hydroxyl radical formation after incubation of epigallocatechin gallate or epicatechin gallate with the NO generator, NOC-7. Thus, GTC alone showed a weak chemopreventive effect on forestomach carcinogenesis, but in the presence of NaNO(2) it exerted a promotive effect which might involve hydroxyl-radical-associated oxidative DNA damage. However, no influence was exerted in the glandular stomach.

Dose-dependent promotion of rat forestomach carcinogenesis by combined treatment with sodium nitrite and ascorbic acid after initiation with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine: possible contribution of nitric oxide-associated oxidative DNA damage

Dose-dependent promotion effects of combined treatment with sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and ascorbic acid (AsA) on gastric carcinogenesis were examined in rats pretreated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Groups of 15 6-week-old F344 male rats were given 0.01% MNNG in their drinking water for 10 weeks to initiate carcinogenesis in the glandular stomach and a single intragastric administration of 100 mg/kg/bodyweight of MNNG by stomach tube at week 9 to initiate carcinogenesis in the forestomach. From week 11, they received either drinking water containing 0.05, 0.1 or 0.2% NaNO2 and a diet supplemented with 0.1 or 0.2% AsA in combination, each individual chemical alone or a basal diet until the end of week 42. In the forestomach, the incidence of hyperplasia was increased dose dependently by the treatment with NaNO2 alone. Incidences of neoplastic lesions were dramatically increased by the combined treatment with NaNO2 and AsA in a dose-dependent manner, but AsA itself had no effect. In the glandular stomach, only toxicity and regenerative changes were increased by the high-dose combination. In a second short-term experiment conducted for sequential observation, necrosis and strong inflammation were found in the forestomach epithelium shortly after commencing combined treatment with 1.0% AsA and 0.2% NaNO2, followed by hyperplasia, whereas there were no obvious effects in the glandular stomach. In addition, after a 4 h treatment with 1.0% AsA and 0.2% NaNO2, a slight increase in the 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine levels in the forestomach epithelium was observed by high-performance liquid chromatography and an electrochemical detection system, albeit without statistical significance. In vitro, electron spin resonance demonstrated nitric oxide formation during incubation with NaNO2 and AsA under acidic conditions. Thus, NaNO2 was demonstrated to exert promoter action in the forestomach, with AsA acting as a strong copromoter through cytotoxicity and regenerative cell proliferation, possibly mediated by oxidative DNA damage, but the combined treatment with NaNO2 and AsA had little influence on glandular stomach carcinogenesis.

Enhancing effects of simultaneous treatment with sodium nitrite on 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline-induced rat liver, colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis after initiation with diethylnitrosamine and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

Combined effects of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) on liver, colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis were assessed using a rat two-stage carcinogenesis model, with a focus on involvement of oxidative stress. Male 6-week-old F344 rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg of diethylnitrosamine and 4 subcutaneous injections of 40 mg/kg of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine for initiation. Then, they were administered 0 or 300 ppm IQ in the diet or 0, 0.1 or 0.2% NaNO2 in their drinking water for 27 weeks. The treatment with NaNO2+IQ significantly enhanced colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis and tended to enhance hepatocarcinogenesis. The incidence of lung tumors in the IQ-treated groups was significantly increased as compared with the initiation alone group. In a second experiment, male rats were given IQ or NaNO2 under the same conditions as before for 1 week, and at sacrifice, their liver and colon tissue or mucosa were collected for analysis of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), acrolein-modified protein and the bromodeoxyuridine-labeling index (BrdU-LI) (in the colon). In the colon, 8-OHdG, acrolein-modified protein levels and BrdU-LI were significantly increased by the combined treatment. These results indicate that the treatment with NaNO2 enhances IQ-induced colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis in rats and that oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation may partly be involved, especially in the colon. In addition, this experiment showed that IQ can act as a potent lung carcinogen in rats.

Current problems of food intake in young women in Japan: Their influence on female reproductive function

Accumulating evidence suggests that food customs are associated with quality of life in women of the reproductive age. In Japan, dietary limitation for cosmetic purposes, skipping food intake, intake of processed foods and the shift from Japanese to Westernized style food have increased among young women. These changes in food habits can cause inadequate intake of calories, micronutrients, unsaturated fat, phytestrogens and fiber as well as increasing environmental toxins. Furthermore, these food habits increase risk as a result of intake of food additives, anti-oxidants, processing agents and sweeteners, which have been demonstrated to be harmful to human health. These factors are speculated to not only influence the present lifestyle, but also to induce gynecologic disorders such as dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. The adverse effects of these dietary habits on pregnancy outcome and carcinogenesis of breast and ovarian cancers have also been demonstrated. In addition, latent development of organic diseases such as endometriosis, which are accompanied by dysmenorrhea, is a concern under the current nutritional environment in young women. Thus, it is an urgent issue to evaluate the present situation of eating habits in young Japanese women and estimate the influence of these habits on the quality of life including reproductive functions. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 107-114).

Metal-mediated oxidative damage to cellular and isolated DNA by gallic acid, a metabolite of antioxidant propyl gallate

Propyl gallate (PG), widely used as an antioxidant in foods, is carcinogenic to mice and rats. PG increased the amount of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a characteristic oxidative DNA lesion, in human leukemia cell line HL-60, but not in HP100, which is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-resistant cell line derived from HL-60. Although PG induced no or little damage to 32P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments obtained from genes that are relevant to human cancer, DNA damage was observed with treatment of esterase. HPLC analysis of the products generated from PG incubated with esterase revealed that PG converted into gallic acid (GA). GA induced DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of Fe(III)EDTA or Cu(II). In the presence of Fe(III) complex such as Fe(III)EDTA or Fe(III)ADP, GA caused DNA damage at every nucleotide. Fe(III) complex-mediated DNA damage by GA was inhibited by free hydroxy radical (*OH) scavengers, catalase and an iron chelating agent. These results suggested that the Fe(III) complex-mediated DNA damage caused by GA is mainly due to *OH generated via the Fenton reaction. In the presence of Cu(II), DNA damage induced by GA occurred at thymine and cytosine. Although *OH scavengers did not prevent the DNA damage, methional inhibited the DNA damage. Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage was inhibited by catalase and a Cu(I) chelator. These results indicated that reactive oxygen species formed by the interaction of Cu(I) and H2O2 participates in the DNA damage. GA increased 8-oxodG content in calf thymus DNA in the presence of Cu(II), Fe(III)EDTA or Fe(III)ADP. This study suggested that metal-mediated DNA damage caused by GA plays an important role in the carcinogenicity of PG.