Lack of a dose-response relationship for carcinogenicity in the rat liver with low doses of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline or N-nitrosodiethylamine

For a long period, it has been generally considered that carcinogens, particularly genotoxic ones, have no threshold in exerting their potential for cancer induction. However, the non-threshold theory can be challenged with regard to assessment of cancer risk to humans. Here we show that a food-derived, genotoxic hepatocarcinogen, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, forms DNA adducts at low doses, but does not induce glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci (considered to be preneoplastic lesions) or 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in rat liver. Moreover a N-nitroso compound, N-nitrosodiethylamine, at low doses was also found not to induce GST-P-positive foci in rat liver. These results imply that there is a no-observed effect level for hepatocarcinogenesis by these genotoxic carcinogens.

Down-regulation of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx)-induced CYP1A2 expression is associated with bovine lactoferrin inhibition of MeIQx-induced liver and colon carcinogenesis in rats

The inhibitory influence of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) on induction of preneoplastic hepatic glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive (GST-P( +)) cell foci and colon aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) was investigated in F344 rats. Rats were initially treated with DEN, then placed on basal diet containing MeIQx (200 ppm) alone, MeIQx plus 2% bLF, or MeIQx plus 0.2% bLF from week 2 to week 8, with partial hepatectomy performed at week 3. Concomitant administration of 2% or 0.2% bLF with MeIQx caused significant dose-dependent decreases in both number and unit area of GST-P(+) cell foci (2% bLF, P < 0.001; 0.2% bLF, P < 0.01). Similar results were observed for MeIQx-induced colon ACF in the groups without DEN treatment (2% and 0.2% bLF, P < 0.05). To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we analyzed the influence of bLF on levels of cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2), a metabolically activating enzyme of MeIQx in the liver. The results demonstrated that combined administration of 2% bLF significantly reduced levels of MeIQx-induced CYP1A2 mRNA (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.05) to the normal levels, in association with reduced values for MeIQx-DNA adducts (P < 0.05), liver GST-P(+) cell foci and colon ACF. These results suggest that bLF is a chemopreventive agent for DEN alone or DEN plus MeIQx-induced liver, and MeIQx-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. One possible mechanism is a normalizing down-regulation of CYP1A2 expression by bLF, with consequent reduction of carcinogen activation and adduct formation.

Enhancement by cigarette smoke exposure of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline-induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis in close association with elevation of hepatic CYP1A2

The modifying effects of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure on a heterocyclic amine (HCA) 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx)-induced carcinogenesis were investigated in male F344 rats. Groups 1 and 2 were fed MeIQx at a dose of 300 ppm, and simultaneously received CS and sham smoke (SS) for 16 weeks, respectively. Groups 3 - 5 were given the MeIQx diet for 4 weeks, and simultaneously exposed to CS for 4 weeks (group 3), exposed to CS for 12 weeks after the MeIQx treatment (group 4) or received SS for 16 weeks (group 5). Groups 6 and 7 were fed basal diet and respectively received CS and SS for 16 weeks. In terms of the mean number or area, the development of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive (GST-P(+)) liver cell foci was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in group 1 than in group 2. The mean number of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACFs) per animal was increased by continuous CS exposure regardless of MeIQx feeding, the differences between groups 4 and 5 (P < 0.05), and between groups 6 and 7 (P < 0.05) being significant. Immunoblot analysis confirmed that the hepatic CYP1A2 level in group 6 was remarkably increased as compared to that in group 7. In addition, liver S9 from rats in group 6 consistently increased the mutagenic activities of six HCAs including MeIQx as compared to those in group 7. Thus, our results clearly indicate that CS enhances hepatocarcinogenesis when given in the initiation phase via increasing intensity of metabolic activation for MeIQx and possibly colon carcinogenesis when given in the post-initiation phase in rats induced by MeIQx.

Lack of carcinogenicity of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) in cynomolgus monkeys

The carcinogenic potential of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) was evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys. The animals received MeIQx, beginning at the age of one year, at doses of 10 or 20 mg/kg body weight by gavage five times a week for 84 months and were autopsied 8 months thereafter. Although sporadic development of aberrant crypt foci in the colon and glutathione S-transferase pi-positive foci in the liver as well as hyperplastic changes of the lymphatic tissue in the lung and gastro-intestinal tract were observed in several monkeys, this was not treatment-related. No neoplastic or preneoplastic lesions were found in other organs. Serum chemistry data and organ weights were also within the normal ranges. From these data, it is concluded that MeIQx is not carcinogenic in the cynomolgus monkey under the conditions examined. This lack of carcinogenicity is probably related to the poor activation of MeIQx due to the lack of constitutive expression of CYP1A2 as well as an inability of other cytochrome P450s to catalyze N-hydroxylation of MeIQx in the cynomolgus monkey.

Mechanism of oxidative DNA damage induced by a heterocyclic amine, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5f]quinoxaline

Adduct formation has been considered to be a major causal factor of DNA damage by carcinogenic heterocyclic amines. By means of experiments with 32P-labeled DNA fragments and an electrochemical detector coupled to a high-pressure liquid chromatograph, we investigated whether the N-hydroxy metabolite of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) can cause oxidative DNA damage or not. This metabolite [MeIQx(NHOH)] was found to cause Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage, including 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine formation. When an endogenous reductant, beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), was added, the DNA damage was greatly enhanced. Catalase and bathocuproine, a Cu(I)-specific chelator, inhibited the DNA damage, suggesting the involvement of H2O2 and Cu(I). MeIQx(NHOH) frequently induced DNA cleavage at thymine and cytosine residues in the presence of NADH and Cu(II). A UV-visible spectroscopic study showed that little decomposition of MeIQx(NHOH) occurred in the absence of Cu(II), whilst rapid spectral change was observed in the presence of Cu(II), suggesting that Cu(II) catalyzes the autoxidation. The addition of NADH reduced the oxidized product back to MeIQx(NHOH). These results suggest that a copper-peroxo intermediate, derived from the reaction of Cu(I) with H2O2, participates in Cu(II)-dependent DNA damage by MeIQx(NHOH), and NADH enhances the DNA damage via a redox cycle. We conclude that in addition to DNA adduct formation, oxidative DNA damage plays an important role in the carcinogenic process of MeIQx.

Heterocyclic amines: evaluation of their role in diet associated human cancer

1. Heterocyclic amines are formed in parts per billion levels when meat is cooked. 2. The heterocyclic amines MeIQx and PhIP are efficiently absorbed into the systemic circulation after ingestion of cooked food. 3. We have shown that MeIQx and PhIP, both in vitro and in vivo, are substrates for human hepatic CYP1A2, which exclusively and efficiently catalyses their conversion to genotoxic hydroxylamines. 4. MeIQx and PhIP are promutagens. MeIQx is a very powerful bacterial mutagen whereas PhIP is a more potent mammalian cell mutagen. Using a mammalian cell target gene, hprt, we have shown that PhIP induces a characteristic mutational 'fingerprint'. 5. MeIQx and PhIP are carcinogenic in bioassays. The PhIP mutational 'fingerprint' has been detected in the Apc gene of 5/8 colonic tumours induced by PhIP in rats.

Inhibition of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline-mediated DNA-adduct formation by chlorophyllin in Drosophila

The effect of chlorophyllin on 2-amino-3,8-dimethyimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx)-mediated DNA-adduct formation in Drosophila was studied. Third-instar larvae of Drosophila were fed MeIQx at 1 mg/6.5 g-feed/bottle, with or without chlorophyllin (100-300 mg). After a 6 h feeding exposure to MeIQx, the larvae were divided into 2 groups. The first group was examined for covalent DNA adducts by 32P-postlabeling assay. The second group was assayed for DNA damage by allowing the larvae to develop to adults and measuring the male/female ratio (males, DNA repair-deficient; females, DNA repair-proficient). The 32 P-postlabeling results indicated a significant decrease in DNA adduct levels in larvae treated with MeIQx and 300 mg chlorophyllin (1.7 +/- 0.7 adducts/10(7) nucleotides) as compared with MeIQx-treated larvae 6.5 +/- 2.1 adducts/10(7) nucleotides). The results on male/female sex ratios also indicated a chlorophyllin-induced decrease in DNA damage by exposure to MeIQx. The suppressive effect of chlorophyllin on the genotoxic actions of a polycyclic mutagen, MeIQx, may be a result of complex formation between chlorophyllin and the mutagen.

Dose-dependent induction of 8-hydroxyguanine and preneoplastic foci in rat liver by a food-derived carcinogen, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, at low dose levels

Male F344 rats were administered 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) in the diet at doses of 200, 50, 12.5, 3.2, 0.8, 0.2 and 0.05 ppm for six weeks, and partially hepatectomized 1 week after the beginning of MeIQx administration. Quantitative values for glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci in the liver were dose-dependently increased by the MeIQx treatment. 8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) levels assessed after 1 week of dietary MeIQx administration were also dose-dependently increased, although the effect was no longer observed at the end of the treatment period. The correlation between numbers of GST-P-positive foci at week 6 and 8-OHG levels at week 1 was linear, values for both parameters being higher than the control levels even in the 0.8 ppm dose group. These findings indicate that, in addition to the previously reported MeIQx-DNA adduct formation, DNA modifications due to oxidative damage may play an important role in MeIQx liver carcinogenesis in rats.

Hepatocellular carcinoma induction in LEC rats by a low dose of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline

A food-borne heterocyclic amine, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), induces hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in F344 male rats at an incidence of 95%, when fed in the diet at 400 ppm for 61 weeks. In this study, the effect of a low dose of MeIQx was examined in Long-Evans with cinnamon-like coat color (LEC) rats, which have a mutation in Atp7b and suffer from hereditary hepatitis and HCCs, with high levels of copper accumulation in the liver. Rats of the LEC and Long-Evans with agouti coat color (LEA) sibling lines were given a diet containing 40 ppm MeIQx from the age of 23 weeks to 63 weeks, for a total administration period of 40 weeks. In LEC rats, HCCs were observed in 8/8 animals administered MeIQx, and 2/8 rats receiving a normal diet. The number of HCCs per rat (mean +/- SD) was 2.8 +/- 2.0 and 0.3 +/- 0.5, respectively. In the LEA rats, however, no tumors were induced by administration of MeIQx. These results indicate that damaged liver associated with compensatory cell proliferation is much more susceptible to chemical hepatocarcinogens, including MeIQx, than the normal liver.

Formation and removal of DNA adducts in the liver of rats chronically fed the food-borne carcinogen, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline

Effects of chronic administration of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at 0.4, 8 and 400 ppm in the diet on DNA adduct formation and removal in the rat liver were examined by the 32P-postlabeling method. The 0.4 and 8 ppm doses for 40 weeks resulted in time-dependent increases in MeIQx-DNA adduct levels until 16 and 8 weeks, respectively, with constant values being maintained thereafter. In the case of a carcinogenic dose (400 ppm) of MeIQx, the adduct levels reached a maximum at week 12, and then gradually decreased. Alteration of metabolism of MeIQx during liver carcinogensis might be related to this decrease in DNA adduct levels. When MeIQx administration was stopped at week 20, 60-90% of the MeIQx-DNA adducts formed with the three doses (0.4, 8 and 400 ppm) of MeIQx were removed in a biphasic manner after return to a basal diet, with initial rapid removal followed by a slow change. No difference in the pattern of MeIQx-DNA adducts was detected on thin layer chromatography at any dose at any time point. Thus, it is suggested that there may be at least two types of damaged DNA, susceptible and resistant to removal of MeIQx-DNA adducts, after chronic administration of MeIQx.

Effects of chronic administration of low doses of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoxaline on glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci development in the livers of rats fed a choline-deficient diet

Effects of chronic administration of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at the very low doses of 0.4 and 4 ppm, respectively 1000- and 100-fold less than the dose shown to be carcinogenic (400 ppm), on the liver of rats fed a choline-deficient (CD) diet were examined in terms of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci. Male F344 rats were given CD diet containing 0, 0.4 or 4 ppm MeIQx for 20 or 40 weeks. As controls, rats received choline-supplemented (CS) diet in the same manner. MeIQx at 4 ppm in the CD diet significantly increased both the number and area of GST-P-positive foci, the values being 2.3- and 2.1-fold at 20 weeks and 2.0- and 3.3-fold at 40 weeks, respectively, compared with those observed for CD diet alone. MeIQx at 0.4 ppm in CD diet did not affect the development of GST-P-positive foci. No influence of the heterocyclic amine was found in the CS groups, where only very small numbers of minute lesions were observed. The level of MeIQx-DNA adducts in rats given the CD diet containing 4 ppm MeIQx was 2- to 3-fold lower than that in rats given the CS diet containing 4 ppm MeIQx at 20 and 40 weeks. This result indicates that DNA adduct formation and cell proliferation are both required for the increase of GST-P-positive foci in rats fed 4 ppm MeIQx in a CD diet. The above findings strongly suggest that MeIQx could be carcinogenic even at 4 ppm under CD conditions, where liver cell regeneration is continuously occurring.

DNA adducts formed by 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline in rat liver: dose-response on chronic administration

The effect of administration of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) at various doses on DNA adduct formation in male rats was examined by 32P-postlabeling analysis. Administration of MeIQx in the diet at 0.4 ppm, 4 ppm, 40 ppm and 400 ppm for one week resulted in the formations of 0.04, 0.28, 3.34 and 39.0 adducts per 10(7) nucleotides in rat liver cells. Continuous administration of 400 ppm of MeIQx in the diet for 61 weeks to rats induced hepatocellular carcinomas in all rats. The carcinogenicity of MeIQx at doses of 40 ppm or less is not known yet, but the above results show a linear relationship between the level of MeIQx administered and the adduct level. In rats treated with low doses of 0.4, 4 and 40 ppm of MeIQx, adduct levels increased linearly with time of treatment, the levels in week 12 being two to three times those in week 1. In contrast, on treatment with 400 ppm of MeIQx, the adduct level in the liver increased until week 4, when it was 110 adducts per 10(7) nucleotides, and then remained constant for the next 8 weeks. Induction of the multidrug-resistance gene was suggested to be involved in development of this plateau level.

Metabolic activation of pyrolysate arylamines by human liver microsomes; possible involvement of a P-488-H type cytochrome P-450

Metabolic activating capacity of human livers for carcinogenic heterocyclic arylamines has been studied using a Salmonella mutagenesis test. A large individual variation was observed among 15 liver samples in the capacities of activation of Glu-P-1 (2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole), IQ (2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline) and MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-3 H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline). The average numbers of revertants induced by the three heterocyclic arylamines were nearly the same or rather higher in the presence of hepatic microsomes from human than those from rat. In high-performance liquid chromatography, formation of N-hydroxy-Glu-P-1 was detected and accounted for more than 80% of the total mutagenicity observed in the human microsomal system with Glu-P-1, indicating that, similarly to experimental animals, N-hydroxylation is a major activating step for heterocyclic arylamines in human. Addition of flavone or 7,8-benzoflavone to human liver microsomes showed effective inhibition of the mutagenic activation of Glu-P-1, although the treatment rather enhanced microsomal benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation in human livers. Mutagenic activation of Glu-P-1 by human liver microsomes was also decreased by the inclusion of anti-rat P-448-H IgG, and was well correlated with the content of immunoreactive P-448-H in livers, suggesting the involvement of a human cytochrome P-450, which shares immunochemical and catalytic properties with rat P-448-H, in the metabolic activation of heterocyclic arylamines in human livers.