Health Through Activity: Initial Evaluation of an In-Home Intervention for Older Adults With Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future full-scale trial to test the efficacy of an in-home occupational therapy intervention designed to reduce disability in older adult cancer survivors.

METHOD

Participants reporting activity limitations during or after cancer treatment were enrolled in a Phase 1 pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the 6-wk intervention (n = 30) to usual care (n = 29). Descriptive data on retention rates were collected to assess feasibility of intervention and study procedures. Potential efficacy was explored through participants' self-reported disability, quality of life, activity level, and behavioral activation at 0, 8, and 16 wk after enrollment.

RESULTS

Retention rates were high regarding completion of the intervention (90%) and outcome assessments (90% of usual-care participants and 80% of intervention participants). Outcomes consistently favored the intervention group, although group differences were small.

CONCLUSION

The procedures were feasible to implement and acceptable to participants.

Uranyl acetate induced DNA single strand breaks and AP sites in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The aim of this study is to characterize the genotoxicity of depleted uranium (DU) in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO) with mutations in various DNA repair pathways. CHO cells were exposed to 0-300 μM of soluble DU as uranyl acetate (UA) for 0-48 h. Intracellular UA concentrations were measured via inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro by clonogenic survival assay. DNA damage response was assessed via Fast Micromethod® to determine UA-induced DNA single strand breaks. Results indicate that UA is entering the CHO cells, with the highest concentration localizing in the nucleus. Clonogenic assays show that UA is cytotoxic in each cell line with the greatest cytotoxicity in the base excision repair deficient EM9 cells and the nuclear excision repair deficient UV5 cells compared to the non-homologous end joining deficient V3.3 cells and the parental AA8 cells after 48 h. This indicates that UA is producing single strand breaks and forming UA-DNA adducts rather than double strand breaks in CHO cells. Fast Micromethod® results indicate an increased amount of single strand breaks in the EM9 cells after 48 h UA exposure compared to the V3.3 and AA8 cells. These results indicate that DU induces DNA damage via strand breaks and uranium-DNA adducts in treated cells. These results suggest that: (1) DU is genotoxic in CHO cells, and (2) DU is inducing single strand breaks rather than double strand breaks in vitro.

Goal Attainment and Goal Adjustment of Older Adults During Person-Directed Cancer Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

In this pilot study of a home-based occupational therapy intervention intended to reduce disability and improve quality of life, our objective was to identify rates of goal attainment and patterns of goal adjustment of participants.

METHOD

Thirty older adults with cancer were randomized to the intervention arm, and 24 participants identified goals and completed the six-session intervention. An exploratory content analysis of qualitative and quantitative session data was performed.

RESULTS

Participants set 63 6-wk goals and attained 62% of them. Most of the goals addressed walking (28%), sedentary leisure (24%), exercising (16%), or instrumental activities of daily living (14%). When 6-wk goals were not attained (n = 24), there were 10 instances of goal disengagement and 14 instances of goal reengagement.

CONCLUSION

Although most participants were able to meet their goals, many also changed their goals and priorities after reflection and attempts to resume or initiate meaningful activities.

Key Strategies for Building Research Capacity of University Faculty Members

Universities are under pressure to increase external research funding, and some federal agencies offer programs to expand research capacity in certain kinds of institutions. However, conflicts within faculty roles and other aspects of university operations influence the effectiveness of particular strategies for increasing research activity. We review conventional approaches to increasing research, focusing on outcomes for individual faculty members and use one federally-funded effort to build cancer-related research capacity at a public university as an example to explore the impact of various strategies on research outcomes. We close with hypotheses that should be tested in future formal studies.

A Bench-Top In Vitro Wound Assay to Demonstrate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Depleted Uranium on Dermal Fibroblast Migration

Cellular migration assays are useful tools to investigate physiologic events on the bench top. Furthermore, this migration assay can be utilized to investigate wound healing therapeutics (those that encourage or accelerate wound closure) as well as deleterious agents (ones that mitigate or slow wound closure). The current study used an in vitro scratch assay to measure the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and depleted uranium (DU) in the form of uranyl acetate on cellular migration of human neonatal dermal fibroblasts in an in vitro simulation of wound healing. Data analyses included percent wound closure measured as the distance between cell margins, and rates of wound closure versus untreated controls. The highest doses of PRP (0.063, 0.125%) resulted in 50-65% wound closure after 4-8 hours relative to 38-44% in controls and the low-dose treatment group (0.031%). The high-dose treatments of PRP (0.125, 0.063%) reached 100% wound closure at 12 hours postwound versus 16 hours for controls and the low-dose treatment group (0.031%). Conversely, the higher doses of DU treatments (50 and 100 μM) resulted in <80% closure versus 100% closure in controls after 16 hours, with full closure observed at 20 hours. The highest dose of DU (1,000 μM) resulted in <20% closure versus 100% closure in controls after 16 hours. The use of the described scratch assay serves as a translatable bench-top model that has the potential to predict in vivo outcomes, and in many early studies can help to demonstrate proof-of-concept before moving into complex biological systems.

Synergistic cytotoxicity and DNA strand breaks in cells and plasmid DNA exposed to uranyl acetate and ultraviolet radiation

Depleted uranium (DU) has a chemical toxicity that is independent of its radioactivity. The purpose of this study was to explore the photoactivation of uranyl ion by ultraviolet (UV) radiation as a chemical mechanism of uranium genotoxicity. The ability of UVB (302 nm) and UVA (368 nm) radiation to photoactivate uranyl ion to produce single strand breaks was measured in pBR322 plasmid DNA, and the presence of adducts and apurinic/apyrimidinic sites that could be converted to single strand breaks by heat and piperidine was analyzed. Results showed that DNA lesions in plasmid DNA exposed to UVB- or UVA-activated DU were only slightly heat reactive, but were piperidine sensitive. The cytotoxicity of UVB-activated uranyl ion was measured in repair-proficient and repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells and human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The cytotoxicity of co-exposures of uranyl ion and UVB radiation was dependent on the order of exposure and was greater than co-exposures of arsenite and UVB radiation. Uranyl ion and UVB radiation were synergistically cytotoxic in cells, and cells exposed to photoactivated DU required different DNA repair pathways than cells exposed to non-photoactivated DU. This study contributes to our understanding of the DNA lesions formed by DU, as well as their repair. Results suggest that excitation of uranyl ion by UV radiation can provide a pathway for uranyl ion to be chemically genotoxic in populations with dermal exposures to uranium and UV radiation, which would make skin an overlooked target organ for uranium exposures.

Analysis of heat-labile sites generated by reactions of depleted uranium and ascorbate in plasmid DNA

The goal of this study was to characterize how depleted uranium (DU) causes DNA damage. Procedures were developed to assess the ability of organic and inorganic DNA adducts to convert to single-strand breaks (SSB) in pBR322 plasmid DNA in the presence of heat or piperidine. DNA adducts formed by methyl methanesulfonate, cisplatin, and chromic chloride were compared with those formed by reaction of uranyl acetate and ascorbate. Uranyl ion in the presence of ascorbate produced U-DNA adducts that converted to SSB on heating. Piperidine, which acted on DNA methylated by methyl methanesulfonate to convert methyl-DNA adducts to SSB, served in the opposite fashion as U-DNA adducts by decreasing the level of SSB. The observation that piperidine also decreased the gel shift for metal-DNA adducts formed by monofunctional cisplatin and chromic chloride was interpreted to suggest that piperidine served to remove U-DNA adducts. Radical scavengers did not affect the formation of uranium-induced SSB, suggesting that SSB arose from the presence of U-DNA adducts and not from the presence of free radicals. A model is proposed to predict how U-DNA adducts may serve as initial lesions that convert to SSB or AP sites. The results suggest that DU can act as a chemical genotoxin that does not require radiation for its mode of action. Characterizing the DNA lesions formed by DU is necessary to assess the relative importance of different DNA lesions in the formation of DU-induced mutations. Understanding the mechanisms of formation of DU-induced mutations may contribute to identification of biomarkers of DU exposure in humans.

Photoactivated uranyl ion produces single strand breaks in plasmid DNA

Uranium is an important emerging toxicant whose use has outpaced the rate at which we are learning about its health effects. One unexplored pathway for uranium toxicity involves the photoactivation of uranyl ion by UV light to produce U(5+) and oxygen radicals. The purpose of this study was to provide proof of principle data by testing the hypothesis that coexposures of DNA to uranyl acetate and UVB irradiation should produce more DNA strand breaks than individual exposures. Results supported the hypothesis and suggest that investigations of uranium toxicity be expanded to include skin as a potential target organ for carcinogenesis, especially in populations with high uranium and high UV radiation exposures.

Role of denileukin diftitox in the treatment of persistent or recurrent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Denileukin diftitox (Ontak(®)) is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent or recurrent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of the skin. Denileukin diftitox was the first fusion protein toxin approved for the treatment of a human disease. This fusion protein toxin combines the IL2 protein with diphtheria toxin, and targets the CD25 subunit of the IL2 receptor, resulting in the unique delivery of a cytocidal agent to CD-25 bearing T-cells. Historically, immunotherapy targeting malignant T-cells including monoclonal antibodies has been largely ineffective as cytocidal agents compared to immunotherapy directed against B-cells such as rituximab. This review will summarize the development of denileukin diftitox, its proposed mechanism of action, the pivotal clinical trials that led to its FDA approval, the improvements in quality of life, and the common toxicities experienced during the treatment of patients with CTCL. CTCL is often a chronic progressive lymphoma requiring the sequential use of treatments such as retinoids, traditional chemotherapy, or biological response modifiers. The incorporation of the immunotoxin denileukin diftitox into the sequential or combinatorial treatment of CTCL will also be addressed.

Cell cycle activation in postmitotic neurons is essential for DNA repair

Increasing evidence indicates that maintenance of neuronal homeostasis involves the activation of the cell cycle machinery in postmitotic neurons. Our recent findings suggest that cell cycle activation is essential for DNA damage-induced neuronal apoptosis. However, whether the cell division cycle also participates in DNA repair and survival of postmitotic, terminally differentiated neurons is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that G(1) phase components contribute to the repair of DNA and are involved in the DNA damage response of postmitotic neurons. In cortical terminally differentiated neurons, treatment with subtoxic concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) caused repairable DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and the activation of G(1) components of the cell cycle machinery. Importantly, DNA repair was attenuated if cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6, essential elements of G(0) --> G(1) transition, were suppressed. Our data suggest that G(1) cell cycle components are involved in DNA repair and survival of postmitotic neurons.

Molecular analysis of hprt mutations induced by chromium picolinate in CHO AA8 cells

Chromium picolinate (CrPic) is a popular dietary supplement, marketed to the public for weight loss, bodybuilding, and control of blood sugar. Recommendations for long-term use at high dosages have led to questions regarding its safety. Previous studies have reported that CrPic can cause chromosomal aberrations and mutations. The purpose of the current work was to compare the mutagenicity of CrPic as a suspension in acetone versus a solution in DMSO, and to characterize the hprt mutations induced by CrPic in CHO AA8 cells. Treatments of 2% acetone or 2% DMSO alone produced no significant increase in 6-thioguanine (6-TG)-resistant mutants after 48 h exposures. Mutants resistant to 6-TG were generated by exposing cells for 48 h to 80 microg/cm(2) CrPic in acetone or to 1.0mM CrPic in DMSO. CrPic in acetone produced an average induced mutation frequency (MF) of 56 per 10(6) surviving cells relative to acetone solvent. CrPic in acetone was 3.5-fold more mutagenic than CrPic in DMSO, which produced an MF of 16.2. Characterization of 61 total mutations in 48 mutants generated from exposure to CrPic in acetone showed that base substitutions comprised 33% of the mutations, with transversions being predominant; deletions made up 62% of the mutations, with one-exon deletions predominating; and 1-4 bp insertions made up 5% of the characterized mutations. CrPic induced a statistically greater number of deletions and a statistically smaller number of base substitutions than have been measured in spontaneously generated mutants. These data confirm previous studies showing that CrPic is mutagenic, and support the contention that further study is needed to verify the safety of CrPic for human consumption.

Uranyl acetate induces hprt mutations and uranium-DNA adducts in Chinese hamster ovary EM9 cells

Questions about possible adverse health effects from exposures to uranium have arisen as a result of uranium mining, residual mine tailings and use of depleted uranium in the military. The purpose of the current study was to measure the toxicity of depleted uranium as uranyl acetate (UA) in mammalian cells. The activity of UA in the parental CHO AA8 line was compared with that in the XRCC1-deficient CHO EM9 line. Cytotoxicity was measured by clonogenic survival. A dose of 200 microM UA over 24 h produced 3.1-fold greater cell death in the CHO EM9 than the CHO AA8 line, and a dose of 300 microM was 1.7-fold more cytotoxic. Mutagenicity at the hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus was measured by selection with 6-thioguanine. A dose of 200 microM UA produced approximately 5-fold higher averaged induced mutant frequency in the CHO EM9 line relative to the CHO AA8 line. The generation of DNA strand breaks was measured by the alkaline comet assay at 40 min and 24 h exposures. DNA strand breaks were detected in both lines; however a dose response may have been masked by U-DNA adducts or crosslinks. Uranium-DNA adducts were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) at 24 and 48 h exposures. A maximum adduct level of 8 U atoms/10(3) DNA-P for the 300 microM dose was found in the EM9 line after 48 h. This is the first report of the formation of uranium-DNA adducts and mutations in mammalian cells after direct exposure to a depleted uranium compound. Data suggest that uranium could be chemically genotoxic and mutagenic through the formation of strand breaks and covalent U-DNA adducts. Thus the health risks for uranium exposure could go beyond those for radiation exposure.

Molecular analysis ofhprt mutations generated in Chinese hamster ovary EM9 cells by uranyl acetate, by hydrogen peroxide, and spontaneously

Naturally occurring uranium and depleted uranium (DU) are believed to be health hazards by virtue of both their chemical and radiological properties. The mechanism(s) behind uranium's chemotoxic effects has yet to be elucidated. Previous work has shown that DU, as uranyl acetate (UA), was mutagenic at the hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus in XRCC1-deficient CHO EM9 cells. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the mutations induced by UA at the hprt locus of CHO EM9 cells and compare the mutation spectrum of UA with those of hydrogen peroxide and spontaneous mutations in the same line. The hypothesis being tested was that if DU as UA is chemically genotoxic then the mutation spectrum induced by the heavy metal should be distinct from that produced spontaneously or by H2O2. A total of 59 UA-induced, 38 spontaneous, and 45 H2O2-induced mutations were identified. Base substitutions comprised 29%, 42%, and 16% of UA, spontaneous, and H2O2 mutants, respectively. The frequency of G --> T or C --> A substitutions was not significantly different in spontaneous or H2O2-induced mutants than in UA-induced mutants, suggesting a possible role for 8-oxodG damage in UA mutagenesis. However, the observation that UA produced significantly more major genomic rearrangements (multiexon insertions and deletions) than occurred spontaneously suggests the possibility that DNA strand breaks or crosslinks could also be UA-induced mutagenic lesions. The unique mutation spectrum elicited by exposure to UA suggests that UA generates mutations in ways that are different from spontaneous and free radical as well as radiological mechanisms.

Characterization of nonmutagenic Cr(III)-DNA interactions

Exposure of cells or animals to carcinogenic chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) produces Cr(III)-DNA adducts. The relevance of these lesions to Cr(VI)-induced tumors is unclear. Various Cr(III) complexes have been used to model the products resulting from Cr(VI) metabolism in order to gain mechanistic insights. The purpose of this study was to characterize interactions of Cr(III) complexes with DNA in order to evaluate their use as models for these purposes. The reactivity of DNA with chromic chloride hexahydrate (CrCl(3)) and sodium bis(l-cysteinato)chromium(III) dihydrate (Cr(cys)(2)(-)) was compared to that with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-platin). Both Cr(III) and Pt(II) cause unwinding of supercoiled DNA that can be visualized as a mobility shift by gel electrophoresis. Chromic chloride was much less distorting than cis-platin, unwinding DNA by only 1-2 degrees, and Cr(cys)(2)(-) interacted with DNA only weakly. Consistent with in vitro studies, CrCl(3) produced Cr-DNA adducts in CHO AA8 cells at levels equivalent to those obtained with Cr(VI), whereas Cr(cys)(2)(-) did not produce significant adducts. Lesions produced by CrCl(3) were not mutagenic in the hypoxanthine-Gua-phosphoribosyl-transferase assay. These data are consistent with CrCl(3) producing a nondistorting lesion, perhaps by association with the phosphate backbone. There are two possible interpretations of these results: Either the Cr(III) products formed by Cr(VI) metabolism are not modeled by CrCl(3) and Cr(cys)(2)(-) complexes, or Cr(III) is not an active species for Cr(VI)-induced DNA damage. This study provides the first structural evidence for Cr(III)-DNA adducts. A molecular understanding of Cr(III)-DNA interactions will be necessary before we can determine their relevance in Cr(VI)-induced cancers.

Uranyl acetate causes DNA single strand breaks in vitro in the presence of ascorbate (vitamin C)

Uranium is a radioactive heavy metal with isotopes that decay on the geological time scale. People are exposed to uranium through uranium mining, processing, the resulting mine tailings, and the use of depleted uranium in the military. Acute exposures to uranium are chemically toxic to the kidney; however, little is known about chronic exposures, for example, if there is a direct chemical genotoxicity of uranium. The hypothesis that is being tested in the current work is that hexavalent uranium, as uranyl ion, may have a chemical genotoxicity similar to that of hexavalent chromium. In the current study, reactions of uranyl acetate (UA) and ascorbate (vitamin C) were observed to produce plasmid relaxation in pBluescript DNA. DNA strand breaks increased with increasing concentrations of a 1:1 reaction of UA and ascorbate but were not affected by increasing the ratio of ascorbate. Plasmid relaxation was inhibited by coincubation of reactions with catalase but not by coincubation with the radical scavengers mannitol, sodium azide, or 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide. Reactions of UA and ascorbate monitored by (1)H NMR spectroscopy showed formation of a uranyl ascorbate complex, with no evidence of a dehydroascorbate product. A previous study inferred that hydroxyl radical formation was responsible for oxidative DNA damage in the presence of reactions of uranyl ion, hydrogen peroxide, and ascorbate [Miller et al. (2002) J. Bioinorg. Chem. 91, 246-252]. Current results, in the absence of added hydrogen peroxide, were not completely consistent with the interpretation that strand breaks were produced by a Fenton type generation of reactive oxygen species. Data were also consistent with the interpretation that a uranyl ascorbate complex was catalyzing hydrolysis of the DNA-phosphate backbone, in a manner similar to that known for the lanthanides. These data suggest that uranium may be directly genotoxic and may, like chromium, react with DNA by more than one pathway.

Ultrastructural damage in chromium picolinate-treated cells: a TEM study. Transmission electron microscopy

Chromium picolinate (CrPic) is a human dietary supplement that provides a bioavailable form of chromium(III). Its mechanism of action is unknown, and a number of toxic endpoints have been attributed to its use. Understanding the cellular effects of CrPic is important for confirmation or dismissal of these potential toxic effects. The purpose of this work was to characterize morphological damage caused by CrPic, picolinic acid, and chromic chloride in Chinese hamster ovary AA8 cells. A 48-h exposure to 80 micro g/cm(2) CrPic (0.44 mg/mL CrPic) produced 45% survival by colony formation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed 83% of analyzed cells having swollen mitochondria with degraded cristae. Apoptosis was identified by nuclear convolution and fragmentation, and cytoplasmic blebbing. Apoptosis was quantified by fluorescence microscopy with acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. At the 80 micro g/cm(2) dose of CrPic, 37% of the cells were apoptotic cells at 48 h. An equivalent dose of picolinate, 3 mM, was much more cytotoxic and thus there was an inadequate cell number for TEM analysis. However, a lower dose of 1.5 mM induced 49% cell survival, and damaged 86% of the mitochondria, with 51% of the cells undergoing apoptosis. A dose of 1 mM chromic chloride produced 71% cell survival, and damaged 86% of the mitochondria, with 22% of the cells undergoing apoptosis. The amount of apoptosis correlated with overall cell survival by colony formation, but not with the amount of mitochondrial damage. The coordination of Cr(III) by picolinate ligands may alter the cellular chemistry of Cr(III) to make chromium picolinate a toxic form of Cr(III).

Chromium(III) tris(picolinate) is mutagenic at the hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Chromium trispicolinate (CrPic) is a popular dietary supplement that is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. We are using this compound as a bio-available model to explore the role of Cr(III) in Cr(VI)-induced cancers. The ability of CrPic to cause mutations at the hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus of CHO AA8 cells has been measured after a 48 h exposure. The highest dose tested was 80 microg/cm(2) CrPic, which, if fully soluble, would be equivalent to 1mM or 0.44 mg/ml CrPic, and would correspond to 1mM Cr(III) or 52 microg/ml Cr(III). This exposure resulted in 68+/-16% cell survival based on 48 h cell counts, and 24+/-11% survival by 7-day colony formation. Exposure of CHO cells to CrPic produced a statistically significant increase in 6-thioguanine (6-TG)-resistant cells over the dose range tested. The 80 microg/cm(2) CrPic exposure resulted in an average induced mutation frequency (MF) of 58 per 10(6) surviving cells, or an average 40-fold increase in hprt mutants relative to untreated cells. An equivalent dose of 3mM Pic was highly cytotoxic and did not yield hprt mutants. The dose range of 0.375-1.5mM Pic produced a slight increase in hprt mutants, but the increase was not statistically significant. An equivalent dose of 1mM chromic chloride yielded an induced MF of 9 per 10(6) surviving cells, or a 10-fold increase in mutants with cell survivals of >100%. The coordination of Cr(III) with picolinic acid may make the metal more genotoxic than other forms of Cr(III). In light of the current results and the known ability of Cr(III) and CrPic to accumulate in tissues, as well as the growing evidence of Cr(III) involvement in Cr(VI)-induced cancers, we caution against ingestion of large doses of CrPic for extended periods.

Synthesis of peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates for chromium coordination

The synthesis of the first peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate designed to coordinate chromium(III) is reported. The overall goal of this work is to synthesize di-deoxynucleotides tethered with chromium(III)-coordinating appendages to model chromium-DNA-protein cross-links, which are a type of DNA lesion that may be involved in chromium-induced cancers. The conjugate dGp(NHCH(2)CH(2)S-Ac-Gly-Ser-Gly-OH)G was made by coupling the peptide, ClAc-Gly-Ser-Gly-OH, and dinucleotide, dGp(NHCH(2)CH(2)SH)G, through a thioether moiety. The conjugate was characterized by HPLC and mass spectrometry. Previously reported methods for small-scale solid-phase synthesis of peptides and dinucleotide were unsuitable; therefore, gram-scale solution-phase methods were developed. We also report the gram-scale syntheses of two other serine-containing peptides, ClAc-betaAla-Ser-Gly-OH and ClAc-Ser-Gly-OH, and three histidine-containing peptides, ClAc-Gly-His-Gly-OH, ClAc-betaAla-His-Gly-OH, and ClAc-His-Gly-OH. The synthesis and characterization of chromium-containing peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates will ultimately help us to understand chromium-DNA interactions at a molecular level, which is necessary before we can determine how chromium causes cancer.

The role of chromium(V) in the mechanism of chromate-induced oxidative DNA damage and cancer

The role that high valent chromium intermediates play in the oxidative DNA damage produced by the human carcinogen chromate Cr(VI) is of increasing interest for establishing a mechanism of genotoxicity and mutagenicity for this metal. In this review, the authors summarize experimental evidence for the formation of high valent chromium complexes (primarily the +5 oxidation state) and radical species from the reductive metabolism of Cr(VI). A case is made for a direct- or metal-mediated pathway by high valent chromium to initiate oxidative DNA damage, although the role of radical species in this oxidative process cannot be ruled out.

Is chromium a trace essential metal?

If chromium is an essential metal it must have a specific role in an enzyme or cofactor, and a deficiency should produce a disease or impairment of function. To date, no chromium-containing glucose tolerance factor has been characterized, the purpose of the low-molecular-weight chromium-binding protein is questionable, and no direct interaction between chromium and insulin has been found. Furthermore, chromium3+ is treated like the toxic metals arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in animals. Chromium3+ may be involved in chromium6+-induced cancers because chromium6+ is converted to chromium3+ in vivo, and chromium3+ is genotoxic and mutagenic. Although there is no direct evidence of chromium deficiencies in humans, dietary supplements exist to provide supraphysiological doses of absorbable chromium3+. Chromium3+ may act clinically by interfering with iron absorption, decreasing the high iron stores that are linked to diabetes and heart disease. If so, this would make chromium3+ a pharmacological agent, not an essential metal.

Intermediates produced in the reaction of chromium(VI) with dehydroascorbate cause single-strand breaks in plasmid DNA

Ascorbate (vitamin C) is a biological reductant of the human carcinogen chromium(VI). The product of this reaction is presumed to be dehydroascorbate. However, we have found that chromium(VI) can also react with dehydroascorbate. This reaction was monitored by UV/ visible and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. In sodium acetate buffer at pH 3.8, the reaction of chromium(VI) and excess dehydroascorbate produced chromium(V) and chromium(IV) intermediates. At high reaction concentration, the chromium(V) intermediate formed an EPR silent dimer, which dissociated upon dilution to lower concentration. UV/ visible experiments at pH 3.8 demonstrated that manganese(II) catalyzed the disproportionation of chromium(IV) to chromium(V) and chromium(III). The ability of the reaction intermediates to induce strand breaks in pBR322 DNA was determined at pH 3.8 and pH 5.8. At pH 3.8, chromium(IV) appeared to be the major species responsible for induction of strand breaks because the time course for formation of strand breaks did not parallel that of chromium(V), and strand breaks were decreased in the presence of the chromium(IV) scavenger manganese(II). At pH 5.8, fewer strand breaks were observed; however, the time course for their formation followed that of chromium(V). There has been much effort devoted to identification of the intermediate responsible for the induction of strand breaks during reactions of chromium(VI) with biological reductants. The current results suggest that it is not a single type of species that universally produces the DNA strand breaks observed in different chromium(VI) systems and that the reactivity of intermediates will depend on the chosen experimental conditions. Understanding this variability in chromium(VI) reactions may help to resolve the conflicting results from in vitro studies that are aimed at deciphering mechanisms of chromium(VI)-induced cancers.

Chromium(III) picolinate produces chromosome damage in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Chromium(III) complexes currently being sold as dietary supplements were tested for their ability to cause chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Complexes were tested in soluble and particulate forms. Chromium picolinate was found to produce chromosome damage 3-fold to 18-fold above control levels for soluble doses of 0.050, 0.10, 0.50, and 1.0 mM after 24 h treatment. Particulate chromium picolinate doses of 8.0 micrograms/cm2 (corresponding to a 0.10 mM solublized dose) and 40 micrograms/cm2 (0.50 mM) produced aberrations 4-fold and 16-fold above control levels, respectively. Toxicity was measured as a decrease in plating efficiency relative to controls. The above treatments produced > or = 86% survival for all doses except 1.0 mM chromium picolinate, which produced 69 +/- 10% survival. Chromium nicotinate, nicotinic acid, and chromium(III) chloride hexahydrate did not produce chromosome damage at equivalent nontoxic doses. Damage was inferred to be caused by the picolinate ligand because picolinic acid in the absence of chromium was clastogenic. Data are evaluated in terms of their relevance to human exposure based on pharmacokinetic modeling of tissue accumulation and are discussed in terms of literature reporting toxic effects of picolinic acid.

A prediction of chromium(III) accumulation in humans from chromium dietary supplements

It has been proposed that 90% of American's diets are deficient in the trace essential mineral chromium. Several chromium(III) dietary supplements are currently available to alleviate this deficiency. We show here that the same pharmacokinetic models that have been used to quantitate absorption of chromium(III) in humans predict that ingested chromium(III) will accumulate and be retained in human tissues for extended periods. Calculations were carried out with the popular supplement chromium picolinate as an example, but may be applied to any chromium(III) complex. Results from these calculations were compared to clinical data obtained from chromium(III) absorption/retention studies in humans. The models predict that chromium(III) can accumulate in human tissues to reach the levels at which DNA damage has been observed in animals and in vitro. The use of chromium supplements for extended periods or in excess dosages should be reevaluated in terms of these established models because the possible long-term biological effects of chromium accumulation in humans are poorly understood.

Reduction of chromium(VI) by ascorbate leads to chromium-DNA binding and DNA strand breaks in vitro

Chromium(VI) is a known human carcinogen which requires intracellular reduction for activation. Ascorbate (vitamin C) has been reported to function as a major reductant of Cr(VI) in animals and cell culture systems. The reaction of Cr(VI) with varying concentrations of ascorbate was studied under physiological conditions in vitro in order to determine the types of reactive intermediates produced and to evaluate the reactivity of these intermediates with DNA. Reactions of 1.8 mM Cr(VI) with 0-18 mM ascorbate at pH 7.0 in N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES; 0.10 M) and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride (Tris.HCl; 0.050 M) buffers were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance and UV/visible spectroscopy. Cr(V) and carbon-based free radical adducts of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline 1-oxide (DMPO) were observed at 0.5 to 1 and 1 to 1 reactions of ascorbate to Cr(VI). Levels of Cr(V) were higher for reactions in HEPES buffer, and levels of carbon-based radicals were higher in Tris.HCl buffer. Levels of Cr(IV) and Cr(III) increased with increasing concentration of ascorbate in both buffers. Reaction of Cr(VI) with varying ascorbate in the presence of calf thymus DNA or pBR322 DNA resulted in Cr-DNA adducts and plasmid relaxation, respectively. Maximum binding of Cr to DNA was observed for the 1:1 reaction ratio of Cr(VI) with ascorbate in both HEPES and Tris.HCl buffers, but total Cr bound to DNA was 8-fold lower in Tris.HCl than HEPES buffer. Preincubation of Cr(VI) with ascorbate before reaction with DNA decreased Cr-DNA binding to background levels. Preincubation of Cr(III) with ascorbate resulted in only low Cr-DNA binding. Levels of Cr-DNA binding were higher with single-stranded vs double-stranded DNA. Reactions with 14C-labeled ascorbate produced no cross-linking of ascorbate to DNA. Maximum plasmid relaxation was observed for the 1:1 ascorbate to Cr(VI) ratio in both buffers; however, single-strand breaks were 2-fold higher in Tris.HCl than HEPES buffer. Reactions with plasmid in the presence of DMPO quenched formation of single-strand breaks. Interpretation of these results in light of the spectroscopic studies suggested that Cr(V) and carbon-based radicals were responsible for Cr-DNA adducts and DNA single-strand breaks, respectively.

Cell-enhanced dissolution of carcinogenic lead chromate particles: the role of individual dissolution products in clastogenesis

Lead chromate induces chromosomal damage as a result of extracellular dissolution producing solubilized chromium and lead and we show here that the dissolution process is greatly accelerated by the presence of cells. We have sought to determine which of these ions is involved in lead chromate-induced clastogenicity. Cell-mediated extracellular dissolution of particulate lead chromate resulted in the accumulation of both solubilized chromium and solubilized lead, reaching concentrations in the extracellular medium of 15 and 1.9 microM respectively and reaching concentrations inside the cell of 2700 and 97 microM respectively. Both the extracellular and intracellular accumulation of chromium was time dependent and both the solubilized lead and chromium increased proportionately from a lower dose to a higher dose. Exposing cells to water soluble sodium chromate under conditions which produced similar time-dependent intracellular concentrations of chromium also produced a similar amount and spectrum of chromosome damage as lead chromate. In contrast, exposure to lead glutamate resulted in intracellular lead levels 438-times higher than those produced by lead chromate, but produced no chromosome damage. A higher dose of lead glutamate was weakly clastogenic, but it induced a different spectrum of chromosomal aberrations than lead chromate. Pretreatment of cells with vitamin E had no effect on the uptake of chromium, but reduced both sodium chromate- and lead chromate-induced clastogenesis by 54-93%. Vitamin E pretreatment did not affect lead glutamate-induced clastogenesis. The results of this study indicate that although lead(II) is weakly clastogenic at high doses, hexavalent chromium is the proximate clastogen in lead chromate-induced clastogenesis. Additionally, this is the first report that pretreatment of cells with vitamin E can block clastogenesis induced by particulate chromates.

Chromium(VI) reduction by ascorbate: role of reactive intermediates in DNA damage in vitro

Reaction of chromium(VI) with one equivalent of ascorbate was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in the presence of 0.10 M 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) at room temperature in 0.10 M (N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[2-ethanesulfonic acid]) (HEPES) and 0.05 M tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride (Tris-HCl) buffers (pH 7.0 room temperature). Chromium(V), ascorbyl radical, and carbon-based DMPO-radical adducts were observed. A higher level of Cr(V) was observed in HEPES buffer and a higher level of the DMPO-radical adducts was observed in Tris-HCl buffer. Chromium-DNA binding studies were carried out in vitro for calf thymus DNA incubated with Cr(VI) and ascorbate in both buffers at 37 degrees C. Higher Cr-DNA binding was observed in HEPES buffer. DNA strand-break studies were carried out in vitro on pBR322 DNA incubated with Cr(VI) and ascorbate in both buffers at 37 degrees C. Higher percent nicking was observed in Tris-HCl buffer. Addition of DMPO decreased nicking levels in Tris-HCl buffer. These results suggest that free radicals are more reactive than Cr(V) in producing DNA strand breaks and that Cr(V) will react with DNA to produce Cr-DNA adducts. The fact that buffer affects the nature of the reactive intermediates produced upon reduction of Cr(VI) may be related to differences in intracellular metabolism of Cr(VI) and resulting DNA damage observed in various cell culture systems and animal tissues in vivo.

Reaction of chromium(VI) with ascorbate produces chromium(V), chromium(IV), and carbon-based radicals

Reaction of potassium dichromate with sodium ascorbate was studied by EPR spectroscopy at room temperature, in 0.10 M N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[2-ethanesulfonic acid] (HEPES), phosphate, cacodylate, and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride (Tris.HCl) buffers at pH 7.0, in the presence of 0.10 M spin trap [5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline 1-oxide or 2-methyl-N-(4-pyridinylmethylene)-2-propanamine N,N'-dioxide]. Chromium(V), ascorbate radical, CO2-, and other carbon-based spin trap-radical adducts were observed. Chromium(V), CO2-, and the carbon-based radicals were observed at low ratios of ascorbate to chromium, and ascorbate radical was observed at high ratios of ascorbate to chromium. The presence of Cr(IV) was detected indirectly by reaction with Mn(II) and a subsequent decrease in the Mn(II) EPR signal. More Cr(IV) was found for the higher reaction ratios of ascorbate to Cr(VI). The only buffer effect observed was a relative decrease of the Cr(V) signal in Tris.HCl vs HEPES, phosphate, and cacodylate buffers, no change in the radical adducts was observed. There was no evidence for reactive oxygen species an intermediates in this reaction. Addition of the singlet oxygen trap 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone hydrochloride showed no 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy radical formation. The Cr(V) species did not react with dioxygen, and dioxygen did not affect the formation of carbon-based radicals. A mechanism consistent with these observations is discussed.

Structure of N,N-[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-gamma-aminobutyrato]copper(II) bromide methanol solvate

[Cu(C16H18N3O2)]Br.CH4O, Mr = 459.83, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 10.452 (4), b = 12.197 (7), c = 14.984 (6) A, V = 1910 (3) A3, Z = 4, Dm = 1.61 (1), Dx = 1.599 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, mu = 32.37 cm-1, F(000) = 932, T = 174 K, R = 0.0396, wR = 0.0419, 1146 observed reflections [I greater than 3 sigma(I)]. The title compound is a polymeric species in the solid state, with a unit cell consisting of two segments of one-dimensional chains. The ligand, a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid in which the amino group is substituted with two 2-pyridylmethyl moieties, coordinates to one copper atom through the three nitrogen atoms and to another copper atom through the two carboxylate oxygen atoms. The copper(II) atom has a pseudo square-pyramidal geometry, distorted by a distant sixth interaction to a carboxylate oxygen atom [Cu-O(2), 2.770 (7) A].