Ethanol and 4-methylpyrazole increase DNA adduct formation of furfuryl alcohol in FVB/N wild-type mice and in mice expressing human sulfotransferases 1A1/1A2

Formation of DNA Adducts by 1-Methoxy-3-indolylmethylalcohol, a Breakdown Product of a Glucosinolate, in the Mouse: Impact of the SULT1A1 Status-Wild-Type, Knockout or Humanised

We previously found that feeding rats with broccoli or cauliflower leads to the formation of characteristic DNA adducts in the liver, intestine and various other tissues. We identified the critical substances in the plants as 1-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl (1-MIM) glucosinolate and its degradation product 1-MIM-OH. DNA adduct formation and the mutagenicity of 1-MIM-OH in cell models were drastically enhanced when human sulfotransferase (SULT) 1A1 was expressed. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of SULT1A1 in DNA adduct formation by 1-MIM-OH in mouse tissues in vivo. Furthermore, we compared the endogenous mouse Sult1a1 and transgenic human SULT1A1 in the activation of 1-MIM-OH using genetically modified mouse strains. We orally treated male wild-type (wt) and Sult1a1-knockout (ko) mice, as well as corresponding lines carrying the human SULT1A1-SULT1A2 gene cluster (tg and ko-tg), with 1-MIM-OH. N2-(1-MIM)-dG and N6-(1-MIM)-dA adducts in DNA were analysed using isotope-dilution UPLC-MS/MS. In the liver, caecum and colon adducts were abundant in mice expressing mouse and/or human SULT1A1, but were drastically reduced in ko mice (1.2-10.6% of wt). In the kidney and small intestine, adduct levels were high in mice carrying human SULT1A1-SULT1A2 genes, but low in wt and ko mice (1.8-6.3% of tg-ko). In bone marrow, adduct levels were very low, independently of the SULT1A1 status. In the stomach, they were high in all four lines. Thus, adduct formation was primarily controlled by SULT1A1 in five out of seven tissues studied, with a strong impact of differences in the tissue distribution of mouse and human SULT1A1. The behaviour of 1-MIM-OH in these models (levels and tissue distribution of DNA adducts; impact of SULTs) was similar to that of methyleugenol, classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans". Thus, there is a need to test 1-MIM-OH for carcinogenicity in animal models and to study its adduct formation in humans consuming brassicaceous foodstuff.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and other adducts in aging-related diseases and alcohol-mediated tissue injury

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are potentially harmful and heterogeneous molecules derived from nonenzymatic glycation. The pathological implications of AGEs are ascribed to their ability to promote oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Recent studies in basic and translational research have revealed the contributing roles of AGEs in the development and progression of various aging-related pathological conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular complications, gut microbiome-associated illnesses, liver or neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Excessive chronic and/or acute binge consumption of alcohol (ethanol), a widely consumed addictive substance, is known to cause more than 200 diseases, including alcohol use disorder (addiction), alcoholic liver disease, and brain damage. However, despite the considerable amount of research in this area, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which alcohol abuse causes cellular toxicity and organ damage remain to be further characterized. In this review, we first briefly describe the properties of AGEs: their formation, accumulation, and receptor interactions. We then focus on the causative functions of AGEs that impact various aging-related diseases. We also highlight the biological connection of AGE-alcohol-adduct formations to alcohol-mediated tissue injury. Finally, we describe the potential translational research opportunities for treatment of various AGE- and/or alcohol-related adduct-associated disorders according to the mechanistic insights presented.

Fully Automated Identification of Coffee Species and Simultaneous Quantification of Furfuryl Alcohol Using NMR Spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Coffee is a popular beverage with two species, Coffea canephora and C. arabica, being commercially exploited. The quality and commercial value of coffee is dependent on species and processing. C. arabica typically obtains a higher price on the market compared to C. canephora. Coffee beans undergo roasting during processing, resulting in the formation of flavor compounds including furfuryl alcohol which has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify coffee species and other properties using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, specifically to conduct quantification of the roasting process contaminant furfuryl alcohol.

METHOD

The quantification of furfuryl alcohol was performed from the NMR spectra using the pulse length-based concentration (PULCON) methodology. Prior to NMR analysis, samples were extracted using deuterated chloroform.

RESULTS

Roasting experiments identified the maximum roasting temperature to be the most significant factor in the formation of furfuryl alcohol. Among the coffee species, C. canephora was found to contain a relatively lower amount of furfuryl alcohol compared to C. arabica. The roasting of wet processed coffee resulted in higher contents of furfuryl alcohol. Geographical origin and variety within species had no influence on the furfuryl alcohol content.

CONCLUSION

Validation results show that NMR spectroscopy is fit-for-purpose to obtain targeted information of coffee samples.

HIGHLIGHTS

The PULCON NMR methodology allows a simple, rapid and accurate determination of constituents of coffee.

Stress of Strains: Inbred Mice in Liver Research

Inbred mice are the most popular animals used for in vivo liver research. These mice are genetically defined, readily available, less expensive to maintain than larger animals, and enjoy a broad array of commercial reagents for scientific characterization. C57BL/6 mice are the most commonly used strain. However, other strains discussed, including BALB/c, C3H, A/J, and FVB/N, may be better suited to a particular disease model or line of investigation. Understanding the phenotypes of different inbred mouse strains facilitates informed decision making during experimental design. Model systems influenced by strain-dependent phenotype include tissue regeneration, drug-induced liver injury (DILI; e.g., acetaminophen), fibrosis (e.g., carbon tetrachloride, CCl₄), Fas-induced apoptosis, cholestasis, alcohol-induced liver disease and cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thoughtful consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of each inbred strain in a given model system will lead to more robust data and a clearer understanding of translational relevance to human liver disease.

A hemoglobin adduct as a biomarker for the internal exposure to the rodent carcinogen furfuryl alcohol

Furfuryl alcohol is a common food contaminant, which is formed by acid- and heat-catalyzed degradation of fructose and glucose. Its carcinogenic effect in rodents originates most likely from sulfotransferase (SULT)-catalyzed conversion into the mutagenic sulfate ester 2-sulfoxymethylfuran. In this study, a protein adduct biomarker was sought for the medium-term internal exposure to furfuryl alcohol. A UPLC-MS/MS screening showed that the adduct N-((furan-2-yl)methyl)-Val (FFA-Val) at the N-terminus of hemoglobin is a valid target analyte. The Val cleavage by fluorescein isothiocyanate-mediated Edman degradation yielded 3-fluorescein-1-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-5-(propan-2-yl)-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (FFA-Val-FTH), which was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. An isotope-dilution method for the quantification of FFA-Val-FTH by UPLC-MS/MS was developed. It was used to study the adduct formation in furfuryl alcohol-treated FVB/N mice and the influence of ethanol and the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole on the adduct levels. The administration of 400 mg/kg body weight furfuryl alcohol alone led to 12.5 and 36.7 pmol FFA-Val/g Hb in blood samples of male and female animals, respectively. The co-administration of 1.6 g ethanol/kg body weight increased FFA-Val levels by 1.4-fold in males and by 1.5-fold in females. The co-administration of 100 mg 4-methylpyrazole/kg body weight had a similar effect on the adduct levels. A high correlation was observed between adduct levels in hemoglobin and in hepatic DNA samples determined in the same animal experiment. This indicated that FFA-Val is a valid biomarker for the internal exposure to 2-sulfoxymethylfuran, which may be suitable to monitor furfuryl alcohol exposure also in humans.

Beverage consumption and paediatric NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in children and adolescents, due to the increased worldwide incidence of obesity among children. It is now clear enough that of diet high in carbohydrates and simple sugars are associated with hepatic steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Several studies have shown that an increased consumption of simple sugars is also positively associated with overweight and obesity, and related co-morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. It is difficult to define the role of the various components of soft drinks and energy drinks in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and its progression in NASH, but the major role is played by high calorie and high sugar consumption, mainly fructose. In addition, other components of these beverages (e.g. xanthine) seem to have an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, crucial pathways involved in NAFLD/NASH. The drastic reduction in the consumption of energy drinks and soft drinks is an appropriate intervention for the prevention of obesity and NAFLD in young people.

Metabolism and excretion of 1-hydroxymethylpyrene, the proximate metabolite of the carcinogen 1-methylpyrene, in rats

1-Methylpyrene, an alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and environmental carcinogen, is activated by side-chain hydroxylation to 1-hydroxymethylpyrene (1-HMP) and subsequent sulfo conjugation to the DNA-reactive 1-sulfooxymethylpyrene. In addition to the bioactivation, processes of metabolic detoxification and transport greatly influence the genotoxicity of 1-methylpyrene. For a better understanding of 1-HMP detoxification in vivo we studied urinary and fecal metabolites in rats following intraperitoneal doses of 19.3mg 1-HMP/kg body weight (5 rats) or the same dose containing 200μCi [(14)C]1-HMP/kg body weight (2 rats). After 48h, 48.0% (rat 1) and 29.1% (rat 2) of the radioactivity was recovered as 1-HMP in the feces. Six major metabolites were observed by UV and on-line radioactivity detection in urine samples and feces after HPLC separation. The compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR and (1)H-(1)H COSY NMR spectroscopy, which allowed assigning tentative molecular structures. Two prominent metabolites, 1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-6) and the acyl glucuronide of 1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-5) accounted for 17.7% (rat 1) and 25.2% (rat 2) of the overall radioactive dose. Further, we detected the acyl glucuronide of 6-hydroxy-1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-1) and 8-sulfooxy-1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-3) together with two regioisomers of M-3 (M-2 and M-4) differing in position of the sulfate group at the pyrene ring. In urine samples, the radioactivity of 1-pyrene carboxylic acid and its five derivatives amounted to 32.4% (rat 1) or 45.5% (rat 2) of the total [(14)C]1-HMP dose.