Mutagenic activity and quantification of nitroarenes in surface soil in the Kinki region of Japan

Distributions of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediment of Osaka Bay, Japan

The distributions of 15 nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) in sediments collected at 44 sites throughout Osaka Bay, Japan were examined. The highest total NPAHs, with a concentration of 1949ng/kg dry weight, were detected near the city of Amagasaki. Some sites near the cities of Osaka, Kishiwada, sand Sakai registered ng/kg levels of NPAHs, but individual NPAH concentrations were relatively lower than those in previous studies. The sources were estimated using principal component analysis, and NPAHs were derived from exhaust gases of automobiles and industries at some sites. However, our results suggest that it is difficult to estimate the source, especially in coastal areas near big cities and large industrial areas, because the generation pathways between parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrated PAHs are slightly different, and the ratio of PAHs and NPAHs could not be accurately reflect the characters of sources in sediments especially at coastal areas with large-scale industrial zones.

Ausencia de efecto citotóxico, mutagénico y genotóxico de extracto acuoso y aceite esencial de <i>Carica candamarcensis</i>. hook. (Plantae: Caricaceae)

El extracto acuoso y el aceite esencial de la pulpa de frutos maduros de Carica candamarcensis Hook. f. (1875) (chilacuán, papayuela de clima frío) presentan actividad in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori, por lo cual se consideran promisorios para realizar una terapia complementaria para controlar la infección gástrica por esta bacteria. El presente trabajo contribuye a profundizar en el estudio de estos extractos evaluando: a) citotoxicidad mediante análisis de viabilidad de linfocitos humanos aislados por el método tradicional en gradiente de Hystopaque® y en cultivo con medio RPMI-1640; b) mutagenicidad mediante el ensayo de Ames; c) genotoxicidad a través de electroforesis alcalina de células individuales [ensayo cometa (SGCE)]. Para extracto acuoso (EA) se evaluaron dosis desde el extracto concentrado original hasta 10-2 (diluciones en agua destilada estéril) y para el caso de aceite esencial (AE) desde el extracto original diluido en DMSO al 1% hasta10-6. Este estudio demuestra que según las pruebas utilizadas todas las concentraciones evaluadas son seguras a nivel mutagénico, genotóxico y citotóxico. Sin embargo, se requieren estudios adicionales con otros métodos de ensayo que permitan confirmar o descartar si los extractos inducen daños relevantes sobre el ADN, si tienen efectos antimutagénicos y antigenotóxicos para contemplar, así, su posterior inclusión en el desarrollo de un fitofármaco de C. candamarcensis como tratamiento complementario en pacientes con antecedentes de infección de H. pylori.

In vivo examination of the genotoxicity of the urban air and surface soil pollutant, 3,6-dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene, with intraperitoneal and intratracheal administration

3,6-Dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene (3,6-DNBeP) was identified as a new potent mutagen toward Salmonella strains in surface soil and airborne particles. Because data of in vivo examination of the genotoxicity of 3,6-DNBeP are limited, micronucleus test was performed in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and comet assay in the lungs of mice treated with 3,6-DNBeP. In male ICR mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 3,6-DNBeP, the frequency of micronuclated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was increased in the peripheral blood and bone marrow after 24 h in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to controls, the highest dose of 3,6-DNBeP (40 mg/kg B.W.) induced 7.3- and 8.7-fold increases of MNPCE frequency in the peripheral blood and bone marrow, respectively. Furthermore, when 3,6-DNBeP was intratracheally (i.t.) instilled to male ICR mice, 3,6-DNBeP at the highest dose of 0.1 mg/kg body exhibited 3.1-fold increase of DNA tail moment in the lungs at 3 h after the instillation compared to controls. The values of DNA tail moment at 9 and 24 h after the instillation were increased up to 3.5 and 4.2-fold, respectively. These data indicate that 3,6-DNBeP is genotoxic to mammalians in in vivo and suggest that 3,6-DNBeP may be a carcinogenic compound present in the human environment.

Translesion DNA synthesis across various DNA adducts produced by 3-nitrobenzanthrone in Escherichia coli

To analyze translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) across lesions derived from the air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone in Escherichia coli, we constructed site-specifically modified plasmids containing single molecule adducts derived from 3-nitrobenzanthrone. For this experiment, we adopted a modified version of the method developed by Fuchs et al. [29]. Each plasmid contained one of the following lesions in its LacZ' gene: N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-N-ABA); 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-N(2)-C2-ABA); 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-C2-ABA); 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dA-N(6)-C2-ABA); N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-acetylaminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-N-AcABA); or 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-acetylaminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-C2-AcABA). All of the adducts inhibited DNA synthesis by replicative DNA polymerases in E. coli; however, the extent of the inhibition varied among the adducts. All five dG-adducts strongly blocked replication by replicative DNA polymerases; however, the dA-adduct only weakly blocked DNA replication. The induction of the SOS response increased the frequency of TLS, which was higher for the dG-C8-C2-ABA, dG-C8-N-AcABA and dG-C8-C2-AcABA adducts than for the other adducts. In our previous study, dG-C8-N-ABA blocked DNA replication more strongly and induced mutations more frequently than dG-N(2)-C2-ABA in human cells. In contrast, in E. coli the frequency of TLS over dG-N(2)-C2-ABA was markedly reduced, even under the SOS(+) conditions, and dG-N(2)-C2-ABA induced G to T mutations. All of the other adducts were bypassed in a less mutagenic manner. In addition, using E. coli strains that lacked particular DNA polymerases we found that DNA polymerase V was responsible for TLS over dG-C8-N-AcABA and dG-C8-C2-AcABA adducts.

Adduct formation and repair, and translesion DNA synthesis across the adducts in human cells exposed to 3-nitrobenzanthrone

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[d,e]anthracen-7-one, 3-NBA) is a potent environmental mutagen that is found in diesel exhaust fumes and airborne particulates. It is known to produce several DNA adducts, including three major adducts N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-N-ABA), 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dA-N(6)-C2-ABA), and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-N(2)-C2-ABA) in mammalian cells. In the present study, we measured the quantity of the formation and subsequent reduction of these adducts in human hepatoma HepG2 cells that had been treated with 3-NBA using LC-MS/MS analysis. As a result, dG-C8-N-ABA and dG-N(2)-C2-ABA were identified as major adducts in the HepG2 cells, and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA was found to be a minor adduct. Treatment with 1μg/mL 3-NBA for 24h induced the formation of 2835±1509 dG-C8-N-ABA and 3373±1173 dG-N(2)-C2-ABA per 10(7) dG and 877±330 dA-N(6)-C2-ABA per 10(7) dA in the cells. The cellular DNA repair system removed the dG-C8-N-ABA and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA adducts more efficiently than the dG-N(2)-C2-ABA adducts. After a 24-h repair period, 86.4±11.1% of the dG-N(2)-C2-ABA adducts remained, whereas only 51.7±2.7% of the dG-C8-N-ABA adducts and 37.8±1.7% of the dA-N(6)-C2-ABA adducts were present in the cells. We also evaluated the efficiency of bypasses across these three adducts and their mutagenic potency by introducing site-specific mono-modified plasmids into human cells. This translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) assay showed that dG-C8-N-ABA blocked DNA replication markedly (its replication frequency was 16.9±2.7%), while the replication arrests induced by dG-N(2)-C2-ABA and dA-N(6)-C2-ABA were more moderate (their replication frequencies were 33.3±6.2% and 43.1±7.5%, respectively). Mutagenic TLS was observed more frequently in replication across dG-C8-N-ABA (30.6%) than in replication across dG-N(2)-C2-ABA (12.1%) or dA-N(6)-C2-ABA (12.1%). These findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism of 3-NBA-mutagenesis.

Soil mutagenicity as a strategy to evaluate environmental and health risks in a contaminated area

Soil can be a storage place and source of pollutants for interfacial environments. This study looked at a site contaminated with wood preservatives as a source of mutagens, defined routes and extent of the dispersion of these contaminants by particle remobilization and atmospheric deposition, considering an evaluation of risk to human health by quantifying mutagenic risk. Soil sampling sites were chosen at gradually increasing distances (150, 500 and 1700m) from SI (industrial area pool) and indoor dust (pool in an area at risk at 385m and at 1700m). Mutagenesis was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay, TA98, TA97a and TA100 strains with and without S9 mix, YGs strains 1041, 1042 and 1024 for nitrocompounds. Acid extracts were analyzed to define the effects of metals and organics for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitroderivates, besides concentrations of these compounds and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Risk to human health was obtained from the relation between the quantified potential of mutagenic risk and estimated soil ingestion for children according to USEPA. Metal concentrations showed a gradient of responses with As, Cr and Cu (total metal) or Cr and Cu (fraction available) higher for SI. However, mutagenic effects of the mixtures did not show this grading. Site SR1700, without a response, was characterized as a reference. In organic extracts, the mutagenesis responses showed the mobility of these compounds from the source. In the surrounding area, a smaller pattern similar to SI was observed at SR150, and at the other sites elevated values of direct mutagenesis at SR500 and diminished effects at SR1700. Tests with YG strains indicated that nitrated compounds have a significant effect on the direct mutagenesis found, except SR500. The investigation of indoor dust in the surrounding area enabled confirmation of the particle resuspension route and atmospheric deposition, showing responses in mutagenicity biomarkers, PAH concentrations and PCP dosage similar to SI. The range of values obtained, considering the soil masses needed to induce mutagenicity was 0.02 to 0.33g, indicating a high risk associated with human populations exposed, since these values found surpass the standard estimate of 200mg/day of rate of soil ingestion for children according to USEPA. The study showed that it is essential to evaluate the extent of contamination from the soil to delimit remedial measures and avoid damage to the ecological balance and to human health.

Development of a two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled with on-line reduction as a new efficient analytical method of 3-nitrobenzanthrone, a potential human carcinogen

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is an extremely strong mutagen and carcinogen in rats inducing squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. We developed a new sensitive analytical method, a two-dimensional HPLC system coupled with on-line reduction, to quantify non-fluorescent 3-NBA as fluorescent 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA). The two-dimensional HPLC system consisted of reversed-phase HPLC and normal-phase HPLC, which were connected with a switch valve. 3-NBA was purified by reversed-phase HPLC and reduced to 3-ABA with a catalyst column, packed with alumina coated with platinum, in ethanol. An alcoholic solvent is necessary for reduction of 3-NBA, but 3-ABA is not fluorescent in the alcoholic solvent. Therefore, 3-ABA was separated from alcohol and impurities by normal-phase HPLC and detected with a fluorescence detector. Extracts from surface soil, airborne particles, classified airborne particles, and incinerator dust were applied to the two-dimensional HPLC system after clean-up with a silica gel column. 3-NBA, detected as 3-ABA, in the extracts was found as a single peak on the chromatograms without any interfering peaks. 3-NBA was detected in 4 incinerator dust samples (n=5). When classified airborne particles, that is, those <1.1, 1.1-2.0, 2.0-3.3, 3.3-7.0, and >7.0 μm in size, were applied to the two-dimensional HPLC system after purified using a silica gel column, 3-NBA was detected in those particles with particle sizes <1.1 and 1.1-2.0 μm and the particle-size distribution ratios were 84% and 16%, respectively. This is the first report on the particle-size distribution of 3-NBA in airborne particles and the detection of 3-NBA in incinerator dust.

Bioaccumulation of nitroarenes in bivalves at Osaka Bay, Japan

This paper reports for the first time the detection and occurrence of nitroarenes (NPAHs) in marine organisms. Mussels and oysters collected from Osaka Bay, Japan, had total NPAHs concentrations that ranged from 2380 to 24,688 pg/g dry and 2672 to 25,961 pg/g dry, respectively. Relatively higher concentrations were detected in sampling sites located near the central district and suburbs of Osaka City implying that the most probable sources of NPAHs in the two bivalves are exhaust gases and smokes emitted by automobiles and industrial plants. Bivalves had relatively higher residues of 1-nitronaphthalene, 2-nitronaphthalene, 3-nitrophenanthrene, and 9-nitrophenanthrenes. Residues of 2-nitrofluorene, 1-nitropyrene, 4-nitropyrenes, and 6-nitrochrysene were much lower compared to nitronaphthalenes and nitrophenanthrenes. Inter-species differences was only observed for 2-nitronaphthalene with oysters exhibiting significantly higher residues than mussels.

Mutagenicity and genotoxicity of tannery effluents used for irrigation at Kanpur, India

The tannery effluents at Kanpur (India) have been in use for irrigation since last many years, polluting soil directly while ground water and food crops indirectly. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of the test samples revealed the presence of organic compounds including diisooctyl phthalate, phenyl N-methylcarbamate, dibutyl phthalate, bis 2-methoxyethyl phthalate, and higher alkanes. Tannery effluent extracts were prepared using XAD-4/8 resins, dichloromethane, chloroform, and hexane and tested with Ames Salmonella test and DNA repair-defective Escherichia coli K-12 mutants. In the presence of XAD-concentrated tannery effluent, TA98 found to be the most sensitive strain in terms of mutagenic index followed by TA97a whereas in terms of mutagenic potential TA102 was most responsive. The extracts were also found genotoxic as determined in terms of survival of E. coli K-12 mutants, suggesting the presence of DNA damaging compounds in the tannery effluents. In the light of results, precautious use of tannery effluents for irrigation is suggested.

Quantification of 3-nitrobenzanthrone-DNA adducts using online column-switching HPLC-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

The aromatic nitroketone 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one; 3-NBA) is an extremely potent mutagen and a suspected human carcinogen detected in the exhaust of diesel engines and in airborne particulate matter. 3-NBA is metabolically activated via reduction of the nitro group to the hydroxylamine (N-OH-3-ABA) to form covalent DNA adducts. Thus far, the detection and quantification of covalent 3-NBA-DNA adducts has relied solely on (32)P-postlabeling methodologies. In order to expand the range of available techniques for the detection and improved quantification of 3-NBA-DNA adducts, we have developed a method based upon online column-switching HPLC coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, with isotopic dilution of (15)N-labeled internal standards. This methodology was applied to the determination of three 3-NBA-derived adducts: 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-N(2)-3-ABA), N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-N-3-ABA) and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (dG-C8-C2-3-ABA). Dose-dependent increases were observed for all three adducts when salmon testis DNA was reacted with N-acetoxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-AcO-3-ABA). dG-C8-C2-3-ABA was detected at much lower levels (overall 1%) than the other two adducts. DNA samples isolated from tissues of rats treated either intratracheally with 3-NBA or intraperitoneally with N-OH-3-ABA were analyzed by mass spectrometry, and the results compared to those obtained by (32)P-postlabeling. The method required 50 microg of hydrolyzed animal DNA on column and the limit of detection was 2.0 fmol for each adduct. dG-C8-C2-3-ABA was not observed in any of the samples providing confirmation that it is not formed in vivo. Linear regression analysis of the levels of dG-N(2)-3-ABA and dG-C8-N-3-ABA in the rat DNA showed a reasonable correlation between the two methods (R(2) = 0.88 and 0.93, respectively). In summary, the mass spectrometric method is a faster, more automated analytical approach that also provides structural confirmation of the adducts detected by (32)P-postlabeling, and it has sufficient sensitivity and precision to analyze DNA adducts in animals exposed to 3-NBA or its hydroxylamine metabolite.

Genotoxicity of 3,6-dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene, a novel mutagen in ambient air and surface soil, in mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo

3,6-Dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene (3,6-DNBeP), newly identified in airborne particles and surface soil, is a potent mutagen in Salmonella typhimurium. The present study investigated the genotoxic potency of 3,6-DNBeP in vitro and in vivo using mammalian cell strains (Chinese hamster CHL/IU and human HepG2) and ICR mice, respectively. In the hprt gene mutation assay using HepG2 cells, the spontaneous mutant frequency was 61.1 per 10(5) clonable cells, which increased to 229 per 10(5) clonable cells after treatment with 1.0 microg/ml (3 microM) 3,6-DNBeP. Notably, in HepG2 cells with increased N-acetyltransferase 2 activity, the mutant frequency increased to 648 per 10(5) clonable cells by treatment of 1.0 microg/ml (3 microM) 3,6-DNBeP. The sister chromatid exchange frequency increased approximately three times the control level in HepG2 cells treated with 3,6-DNBeP at a concentration of 1.0 microg/ml (3 microM). In HepG2 and CHL/IU cells, the frequency of the cells with micronuclei was 0.9 and 1.2%, and the frequencies increased to 2.3 and 7.6% after 1.0 microg/ml (3 microM) 3,6-DNBeP-treatment, respectively. The H2AX phosphorylation level increased 8-fold compared with the background level with 1.0 microg/ml (3 microM) 3,6-DNBeP-treatment in HepG2 cells. Moreover, the comet assay showed that 3,6-DNBeP produced DNA damage in the cells of liver, kidney, lung and bone marrow in ICR mice 3 h after intraperitoneal injection at 40 mg/kg (0.12 mmol/kg) body weight. These data indicate that 3,6-DNBeP is genotoxic to mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo.

Tissue-specific metabolic activation and mutagenicity of 3-nitrobenzanthrone in MutaMouse

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a mutagen and suspected human carcinogen detected in diesel exhaust, airborne particulate matter, and urban soil. We investigated the tissue specific mutagenicity of 3-NBA at the lacZ locus of transgenic MutaMouse following acute single dose or 28-day repeated-dose oral administration. In the acute high dose (50 mg/kg) exposure, increased lacZ mutant frequency was observed in bone marrow and colonic epithelium, but not in liver and bladder. In the repeated-dose study, a dose-dependent increase in lacZ mutant frequency was observed in bone marrow and liver (2- and 4-fold increase above control), but not in lung or intestinal epithelium. In addition, a concentration-dependent increase in mutant frequency (8.5-fold above control) was observed for MutaMouse FE1 lung epithelial cells exposed in vitro. 1-Nitropyrene reductase, 3-NBA reductase, and acetyltransferase activities were measured in a variety of MutaMouse specimens in an effort to link metabolic activation and mutagenicity. High 3-NBA nitroreductase activities were observed in lung, liver, colon and bladder, and detectable N-acetyltransferase activities were found in all tissues except bone marrow. The relatively high 3-NBA nitroreductase activity in MutaMouse tissues, as compared with those in Salmonella TA98 and TA100, suggests that 3-NBA is readily reduced and activated in vivo. High 3-NBA nitroreductase levels in liver and colon are consistent with the elevated lacZ mutant frequency values, and previously noted inductions of hepatic DNA adducts. Despite an absence of induced lacZ mutations, the highest 3-NBA reductase activity was detected in lung. Further studies are warranted, especially following inhalation or intratracheal exposures.

Mutagenic potency in Salmonella typhimurium of organic extracts of soil samples originating from urban, suburban, agricultural, forest and natural areas

The purpose of the present work was to assess the mutagenic potency of soil samples presumably not contaminated by industrial wastes and discharges. A set of 51 soil samples was collected from areas considered as not contaminated by a known industrial activity: 11 urban samples (collected in cities), 15 suburban samples (collected in villages), 7 agricultural samples, and 18 forest or natural samples. Each soil sample was collected at the surface (0-5cm deep), dried, sieved (2mm), homogenized before organic extraction (dichloromethane/acetone 1/1 (v/v), 37 degrees C, 4h, soil/solvent ratio 1/2, m/v), solvent exchange to DMSO and sterilizing filtration. The micro-method adaptation of the standard bacterial mutagenicity test on Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 was performed with and without a metabolic activation system (rat-liver homogenate S9), and thus detected the effect of pro-mutagens and direct mutagens, respectively. The use of a pre-incubation method increased the sensitivity of the assay. The results obtained showed a wide range of effect levels, from no effect to clear mutagenicity. In particular, the extract of all 11 urban soil samples demonstrated mutagenic activity, while the extracts of 10 of the 15 suburban samples showed mutagenicity. On the other hand, the extract of only one of the 7 agricultural samples studied induced mutations, and none of the 18 natural or forest-soil samples investigated produced mutagenic extracts. These findings seem to indicate the crucial influence of the diffuse pollution originating from different human activities on the mutagenic potency of urban soil samples. These findings make it possible to classify the soils according to their mutagenic potency. No clear correlation was found between the mutagenicity detected in soil extracts and the measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content of the soils investigated.

Structural identification of DNA adducts derived from 3-nitrobenzanthrone, a potent carcinogen present in the atmosphere

3-Nitrobenzanthrone is a powerful bacterial mutagen and carcinogen to mammals. To obtain precise information on DNA-adduct formation by 3-nitrobenzanthrone, a number of DNA adducts, including N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (13 a), 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (14 a), N-(2'-deoxyadenosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (15 a), 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone (16 a), and their N-acetylated counterparts 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed aryl amination of the corresponding nucleoside and bromobenzanthrone derivatives. Among these DNA adducts, DNA adducts 13 a, 13 b, 14 a, 14 b, and 16 a were identified in the reaction mixture of nucleosides (2'-deoxyguanosine, 2'-deoxyadenosine, or DNA) with N-acetoxy-3-aminobenzanthrone or N-acetyl-N-acetoxy-3-aminobenzanthrone, both of which are recognized as activated metabolites of 3-nitrobenzanthrone. The formation of these multiple DNA adducts may help explain the potent mutacarcinogenicity of 3-nitrobenzanthrone.

DNA adduct formation in human hepatoma cells treated with 3-nitrobenzanthrone: analysis by the (32)P-postlabeling method

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[d,e]anthracen-7-one, 3-NBA) is a powerful mutagen and a suspected human carcinogen existing in diesel exhaust and airborne particulates. Recently, one of the major presumed metabolites of 3-NBA, 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), was detected in human urine samples. Here we analyzed DNA adducts formed in 3-NBA-exposed human hepatoma HepG2 cells by a (32)P-postlabeling/thin layer chromatography (TLC) method and a (32)P-postlabeling/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method. With HepG2 cells exposed to 3-NBA (0.36-36.4 microM) for 3h, we obtained three spots or bands corresponding to adducted nucleotides. Two were assigned as 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dA3'p-N(6)-C2-ABA) and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dG3'p-N(2)-C2-ABA), with identical mobilities to those of synthetic standards on PAGE analysis. The chemical structure of the substance corresponding to the other spot or band could not be identified. Quantitative analyses revealed that the major adduct was dA3'p-N(6)-C2-ABA and its relative adduct labeling (RAL) value at 36.4 microM of 3-NBA was 200.8+/-86.1/10(8)nucleotide.

The environmental carcinogen 3-nitrobenzanthrone and its main metabolite 3-aminobenzanthrone enhance formation of reactive oxygen intermediates in human A549 lung epithelial cells

The environmental contaminant 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is highly mutagenic and a suspected human carcinogen. We aimed to evaluate whether 3-NBA is able to deregulate critical steps in cell cycle control and apoptosis in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Increased intracellular Ca(2+) and caspase activities were detected upon 3-NBA exposure. As shown by cell cycle analysis, an increased number of S-phase cells was observed after 24 h of treatment with 3-NBA. Furthermore, 3-NBA was shown to inhibit cell proliferation when added to subconfluent cell cultures. The main metabolite of 3-NBA, 3-ABA, induced statistically significant increases in tail moment as judged by alkaline comet assay. The potential of 3-NBA and 3-ABA to enhance the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was demonstrated by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA). The enzyme inhibitors allopurinol, dicumarol, resveratrol and SKF525A were used to assess the impact of metabolic conversion on 3-NBA-mediated ROS production. Resveratrol decreased dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence by 50%, suggesting a role for CYP1A1 in 3-NBA-mediated ROS production. Mitochondrial ROS production was significantly attenuated (20% reduction) by addition of rotenone (complex I inhibition) and thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA, complex II inhibition). Taken together, the results of the present study provide evidence for a genotoxic potential of 3-ABA in human epithelial lung cells. Moreover, both compounds lead to increased intracellular ROS and create an environment favorable to DNA damage and the promotion of cancer.

Determination of 3,6-dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene in surface soil and airborne particles by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

We developed a sensitive analytical method and an efficient clean-up method to quantify 3,6-dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene (3,6-DNBeP) in surface soil and airborne particles. After purification using a silica gel column and two reversed-phase columns, 3,6-DNBeP was reduced to 3,6-diaminobenzo[e]pyrene by a catalyst column and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector. 3,6-DNBeP was detected in all of the soil samples and airborne particles examined. The concentration of 3,6-DNBeP in surface soil and airborne particles was determined in the ranges of 347-5007 pg/g of soil and 137-1238 fg/m3, respectively.

Identification of three major DNA adducts formed by the carcinogenic air pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone in rat lung at the C8 and N2 position of guanine and at the N6 position of adenine

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and potential human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and ambient air particulate matter. Previously, we detected the formation of 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts in rodent tissues by 32P-postlabeling, all of which are derived from reductive metabolites of 3-NBA bound to purine bases, but structural identification of these adducts has not yet been reported. We have now prepared 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct standards for 32P-postlabeling by reacting N-acetoxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-Aco-ABA) with purine nucleotides. Three deoxyguanosine (dG) adducts have been characterised as N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dG3'p-C8-N-ABA), 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dG3'p-N2-ABA) and 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dG3'p-C8-C2-ABA), and a deoxyadenosine (dA) adduct was characterised as 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone-3'-phosphate (dA3'p-N6-ABA). 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts formed experimentally in vivo and in vitro were compared with the chemically synthesised adducts. The major 3-NBA-derived DNA adduct formed in rat lung cochromatographed with dG3'p-N2-ABA in two independent systems (thin layer and high-performance liquid chromatography). This is also the major adduct formed in tissue of rats or mice treated with 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), the major human metabolite of 3-NBA. Similarly, dG3'p-C8-N-ABA and dA3'p-N6-ABA cochromatographed with two other adducts formed in various organs of rats or mice treated either with 3-NBA or 3-ABA, whereas dG3'p-C8-C2-ABA did not cochromatograph with any of the adducts found in vivo. Utilizing different enzymatic systems in vitro, including human hepatic microsomes and cytosols, and purified and recombinant enzymes, we found that a variety of enzymes [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, xanthine oxidase, NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase, cytochrome P450s 1A1 and 1A2, N,O-acetyltransferases 1 and 2, sulfotransferases 1A1 and 1A2, and myeloperoxidase] are able to catalyse the formation of 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone, N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone and 2-(2'-deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone in DNA, after incubation with 3-NBA and/or 3-ABA.

Carcinogenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone induces oxidative damage to isolated and cellular DNA

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is an extremely potent mutagen in diesel exhaust. It is a lung carcinogen to rats, and therefore a suspected carcinogen to human. In order to clarify the mechanism of carcinogenicity of 3-NBA, we investigated oxidative DNA damage by N-hydroxy-3-aminobenzanthrone (N-OH-ABA), a metabolite of 3-NBA, using 32P-labeled DNA fragments from the human p53 tumor-suppressor gene. N-OH-ABA caused Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage, and endogenous reductant NADH dramatically enhanced this process. Catalase and a Cu(I)-specific chelator decreased DNA damage, suggesting the involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Cu(I). N-OH-ABA induced DNA damage at cytosine and guanine residues of ACG sequence complementary to codon 273, a well-known hot spot of the p53 gene. N-OH-ABA dose dependently induced 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) formation in the presence of Cu(II) and NADH. Treatment with N-OH-ABA increased amounts of 8-oxodG in HL-60 cells compared to the H2O2-resistant clone HP100, supporting the involvement of H2O2. The present study has demonstrated that the N-hydroxy metabolite of 3-NBA induces oxidative DNA damage through H2O2 in both a cell-free system and cultured human cells. We conclude that oxidative DNA damage may play an important role in the carcinogenic process of 3-NBA in addition to previously reported DNA adduct formation.

DNA adduct formation by the environmental contaminant 3-nitrobenzanthrone after intratracheal instillation in rats

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is an environmental pollutant and suspected human carcinogen found in emissions from diesel and gasoline engines and on the surface of ambient air particulate matter; human exposure to 3-NBA is likely to occur primarily via the respiratory tract. In our study female Sprague Dawley rats were treated by intratracheal instillation with a single dose of 0.2 or 2 mg/kg body weight of 3-NBA. Using the butanol enrichment version of the (32)P-postlabeling method, DNA adduct formation by 3-NBA 48 hr after intratracheal administration in different organs (lung, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder, heart, small intestine and liver) and in blood was investigated. The same adduct pattern consisting of up to 5 DNA adduct spots was detected by thin layer chromatography in all tissues and blood and at both doses. Highest total adduct levels were found in lung and pancreas (350 +/- 139 and 620 +/- 370 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides for the high dose and 39 +/- 18 and 55 +/- 34 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides for the low dose, respectively) followed by kidney, urinary bladder, heart, small intestine and liver. Adduct levels were dose-dependent in all organs (approximately 10-fold difference between doses). It was demonstrated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that all 5 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts formed in rats after intratracheal instillation are identical to those formed by other routes of application and are, as previously shown, formed from reductive metabolites bound to purine bases. Although total adduct levels in the blood were much lower (41 +/- 27 and 9.5 +/- 1.9 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides for the high and low dose, respectively) than those found in the lung, they were related to dose and to the levels found in lung. These results show that uptake of 3-NBA by the lung induces high levels of specific DNA adducts in several organs of the rat and an identical adduct pattern in DNA from blood. Therefore, 3-NBA-DNA adducts present in the blood are useful biomarkers for exposure to 3-NBA and may help to assess the effective biological dose in humans exposed to it.

3-Nitrobenzanthrone, a potential human cancer hazard in diesel exhaust and urban air pollution: a review of the evidence

Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to diesel exhaust and urban air pollution is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. 3-Nitrobenzanthrone [3-nitro-7H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one (3-NBA)] is an extremely potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and ambient air particulate matter. The main metabolite of 3-NBA, 3-aminobenzanthrone (3-ABA), was found in the urine of salt mine workers occupationally exposed to diesel emissions, indicating that human exposure to 3-NBA due to diesel emissions can be significant and is detectable. There is clear evidence that 3-NBA is a genotoxic mutagen forming DNA adducts after metabolic activation through simple reduction of the nitro group. Several human enzymes have been shown to activate 3-NBA and its metabolites in vitro and in cells to form electrophilic arylnitrenium and rearranged carbenium ions, leading to the formation of purine adducts at the C8 and N2 position of guanine and at the C8 and N6 position of adenine. The predominant DNA adducts in vivo, 2-(2'-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone and N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-3-aminobenzanthrone are also the most persistent adducts in target tissue in rodents, and are most probably responsible for the induction of GC-->TA transversion mutations observed in vivo. It is concluded that these adducts not only represent premutagenic lesions in DNA but are of primary importance for the initiation of the carcinogenic process and subsequent tumour formation in target tissue. Indeed, 3-NBA is carcinogenic in rats after intratracheal instillation, inducing mainly squamous cell carcinoma in lung. The intention of this article is to provide a critical review on the potential genotoxic effects of 3-NBA on human health. However, in general, there is a need for more mechanistic studies that relate 3-NBA to all processes that are considered to orchestrate tumour development and of studies on the ability of particles to promote 3-NBA genotoxicity. Because of its widespread environmental presence, 3-NBA may represent not only an occupational health hazard but also a hazard for larger sections of the general population. For an accurate risk assessment more epidemiological studies on 3-NBA-exposed individuals and a broader monitoring of environmental levels of 3-NBA are required.

Influence of extraction parameters on the mutagenicity of soil samples

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of four extraction parameters (type of solvent, temperature, duration of extraction, and soil mass/solvent volume ratio) on the mutagenicity of soil extracts. Four urban soil samples were submitted to the micro-method adaptation of the Ames test on Salmonella typhimurium according to the following sequence: identification of the most sensitive strain (TA98 or TA100), the best solvent(s), the optimum extraction temperature and extraction time, and finally the optimal soil/solvent ratio. Extraction was thus performed using eight different solvents (distilled water, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, acetone, cyclohexane, methanol, hexane, or ethanol), two temperatures (room temperature or 37 degrees C), two durations (4 or 24 h), and two soil mass/solvent volume ratios (1:2 or 1:10). The results show that strain TA98 was more sensitive than strain TA100, and the observed mutagenicity was expressed as number of TA98 revertants per mg of soil equivalent. No mutagenicity was induced by the distilled water extracts, whereas most of the organic solvent extracts induced a significant mutagenic response. A dichloromethane/acetone mixture appeared to be the best compromise for extraction of mutagens from the urban soils tested. Moreover, the present study showed that a higher mutagenic activity was generally obtained with a temperature of 37 degrees C (compared to room temperature), with an extraction time of 24 h (compared to 4 h), and with a soil mass/solvent volume ratio of 1:10 (compared to 1:2).

Direct-acting mutagenicity of extracts of coal burning-derived particulates and contribution of nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Benzene-ethanol extracts from particulates produced by coal burning were separated into four fractions by silica-gel column chromatography using n-hexane (240 ml), n-hexane-dichloromethane (3:1, v/v) (200 ml), dichloromethane (200 ml) and methanol (450 ml), as the corresponding eluents. The mutagenicity of each fraction was assayed by the Ames test using the Salmonellatyphimurium YG1024 strain. The nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) of each fraction were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection. The highest activity was observed in the n-hexane-dichloromethane fraction (Fr. 2). The mutagenic contribution of this fraction was 69.9% of the total of the four fractions. Ten of 11 NPAHs detected were in Fr. 2 and one (1-nitropyrene) was most concentrated in Fr. 3. Among the NPAHs examined, 3-nitrobenzanthrone made the largest mutagenic contribution. This is the first report of detection of 3-nitrobenzanthrone in coal burning-derived particulates.

Mutagens in contaminated soil: a review

The intentional and accidental discharges of toxic pollutants into the lithosphere results in soil contamination. In some cases (e.g., wood preserving wastes, coal-tar, airborne combustion by-products), the contaminated soil constitutes a genotoxic hazard. This work is a comprehensive review of published information on soil mutagenicity. In total, 1312 assessments of genotoxic activity from 118 works were examined. The majority of the assessments (37.6%) employed the Salmonella mutagenicity test with strains TA98 and/or TA100. An additional 37.6% of the assessments employed a variety of plant species (e.g., Tradescantia clone 4430, Vicia faba, Zea mays, Allium cepa) to assess mutagenic activity. The compiled data on Salmonella mutagenicity indicates significant differences (p<0.0001) in mean potency (revertents per gram dry weight) between industrial, urban, and rural/agricultural sites. Additional analyses showed significant empirical relationships between S9-activated TA98 mutagenicity and soil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration (r2=0.19 to 0.25, p<0.0001), and between direct-acting TA98 mutagenicity and soil dinitropyrene (DNP) concentration (r2=0.87, p<0.0001). The plant assay data revealed excellent response ranges and significant differences between heavily contaminated, industrial, rural/agricultural, and reference sites, for the anaphase aberration in Allium cepa (direct soil contact) and the waxy locus mutation assay in Zea mays (direct soil contact). The Tradescantia assays appeared to be less responsive, particularly for exposures to aqueous soil leachates. Additional data analyses showed empirical relationships between anaphase aberrations in Allium, or mutations in Arabidopsis, and the 137Cs contamination of soils. Induction of micronuclei in Tradescantia is significantly related to the soil concentration of several metals (e.g., Sb, Cu, Cr, As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn). Review of published remediation exercises showed effective removal of genotoxic petrochemical wastes within one year. Remediation of more refractory genotoxic material (e.g., explosives, creosote) frequently showed increases in mutagenic hazard that remained for extended periods. Despite substantial contamination and mutagenic hazards, the risk of adverse effect (e.g., mutation, cancer) in humans or terrestrial biota is difficult to quantify.

Determination of atmospheric nitrobenzanthrones by high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection

A method using high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection was developed for analyzing mutagenic nitrobenzanthrone (NBA) isomers in airborne particulates. The method was a modification of our previously described method for analyzing nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs). The pretreatment and reducing conditions for 1-, 2-, 3- and 10-NBAs were the same as those for NPAHs. In order to separate these NBA isomers, we used a polymeric-type ODS column (Cosmosil 5C-18MS); a mixture of 40% acetonitrile and 60% 10 mM imidazole-HClO4 buffer was employed as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The isomers of 1-, 2-, 3- and 10-NBA were determined in chemiluminescence with linear calibration graphs from 0.1 to 4 pmol, from 200 to 4000 pmol, from 1 to 50 pmol and from 10 to 400 pmol, respectively. The detection limits (S/N = 3) of 1-, 2-, 3- and 10-NBA isomers were 0.02 pmol, 35 pmol, 0.3 pmol and 3 pmol, respectively. The method was used to analyze airborne particulates at a heavy traffic site in Kanazawa. 2- and 3-NBAs were detected in the extracts of the particulates, while 1-NBA and 10-NBA were not detected. The atmospheric concentrations of 2- and 3-NBAs were 1.83 pmol/m3 and 24.7 fmol/m3, respectively.

DNA adducts and mutagenic specificity of the ubiquitous environmental pollutant 3-nitrobenzanthrone in Muta Mouse

3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is an extremely potent mutagen in the Salmonella reversion assay and a suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and in ambient airborne particulate matter. To evaluate the in vivo mutagenicity of 3-NBA, we analyzed the mutant frequency (MF) in the cII gene of various organs (lung, liver, kidney, bladder, colon, spleen, and testis) in lambda/lacZ transgenic mice (Muta Mouse) after intraperitoneal treatment with 3-NBA (25 mg/kg body weight injected once a week for 4 weeks). Increases in MF were found in colon, liver, and bladder, with 7.0-, 4.8-, and 4.1-fold increases above the control value, respectively, whereas no increase in MF was found in lung, kidney, spleen, and testis. Simultaneously, induction of micronuclei in peripheral blood reticulocytes was observed. The sequence alterations in the cII gene recovered from 41 liver mutants from 3-NBA-treated mice were compared with 32 spontaneous mutants from untreated mice. Base substitution mutations predominated for both the 3-NBA-treated (80%) and the untreated (81%) groups. However, the proportion of G:C-->T:A transversions in the mutants from 3-NBA-treated mice was higher (49% vs. 6%) and the proportion of G:C-->A:T transitions was lower than those from untreated mice (10% vs. 66%). The increase in MF in the liver was associated with strong DNA binding by 3-NBA, whereas in lung, in which there was no increase in MF, a low level of DNA binding was observed (268.0-282.7 vs. 8.8-15.9 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides). DNA adduct patterns with multiple adduct spots, qualitatively similar to those formed in vitro after activation of 3-NBA with nitroreductases and in vivo in rats, were observed in all tissues examined. Using high-pressure liquid cochromatographic analysis, we confirmed that all major 3-NBA-DNA adducts produced in vivo in mice are derived from reductive metabolites bound to purine bases (70-80% with deoxyguanosine and 20-30% with deoxyadenosine in liver). These results suggest that G:C-->T:A transversions induced by 3-NBA are caused by misreplication of adducted guanine residues through incorporation of adenine opposite the adduct (A-rule).

Photoelectron resonance capture ionization mass spectrometry: a soft ionization source for mass spectrometry of particle-phase organic compounds

Photoelectron resonance capture ionization (PERCI) is a soft and sensitive ionization method, based on the attachment of low-energy (<1 eV) photoelectrons to organic analyte molecules. PERCI has been developed in our laboratory for the real-time analysis of organic particles by mass spectrometry, and is employed here to monitor the heterogeneous reaction of ozone with oleic acid. Simplified identification of the reaction products is possible as a result of the soft nature of PERCI, giving predominantly the [M--H](-) ions. The major particle-phase products are identified as: 1-nonanal, nonanoic acid, 9-oxononanoic acid, and azelaic acid, consistent with proposed mechanisms. New insight into this well-studied heterogeneous reaction is gained as additional minor particle-phase products, consistent with the Criegee mechanism, are readily detected.