Carcinogenic nickel silences gene expression by chromatin condensation and DNA methylation: a new model for epigenetic carcinogens.

A transgenic gpt+ Chinese hamster cell line (G12) was found to be susceptible to carcinogenic nickel-induced inactivation of gpt expression without mutagenesis or deletion of the transgene. Many nickel-induced 6-thioguanine-resistant variants spontaneously reverted to actively express gpt, as indicated by both reversion assays and direct enzyme measurements. Since reversion was enhanced in many of the nickel-induced variant cell lines following 24-h treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine, the involvement of DNA methylation in silencing gpt expression was suspected. This was confirmed by demonstrations of increased DNA methylation, as well as by evidence indicating condensed chromatin and heterochromatinization of the gpt integration site in 6-thioguanine-resistant cells. Upon reversion to active gpt expression, DNA methylation and condensation are lost. We propose that DNA condensation and methylation result in heterochromatinization of the gpt sequence with subsequent inheritance of the now silenced gene. This mechanism is supported by direct evidence showing that acute nickel treatment of cultured cells, and of isolated nuclei in vitro, can indeed facilitate gpt sequence-specific chromatin condensation. Epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in the actions of some nonmutagenic carcinogens, and DNA methylation changes are now known to be important in carcinogenesis. This paper further supports the emerging theory that nickel is a human carcinogen that can alter gene expression by enhanced DNA methylation and compaction, rather than by mutagenic mechanisms.

Inorganic mercury exposure, mercury-copper interaction, and DMPS treatment in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of oral treatment with sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS) on reducing mercury deposits in rat kidney after chronic exposure to inorganic mercury. The effect on kidney copper levels was also evaluated. The results showed that after two months of exposure to 50 ppm of mercury (as mercuric chloride) the concentration of mercury in the kidney was 124 micrograms/g wet tissue. At the same time copper concentration rose from 11 to 77 micrograms/g. DMPS treatment caused 2- and almost 4-fold reduction of mercury and copper, respectively. This study demonstrates that chronic exposure to inorganic mercury may alter metabolism of copper and that DMPS is an effective means for reduction of both mercury and copper.

Monoisoamyl meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinate as a delayed treatment for mercury removal in rats.

Monoisoamyl meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinate (Mi-ADMS) was found to be superior to meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) in decreasing the body burden of 203Hg in rats under conditions of early treatment. In this experiment Mi-ADMS was used as late treatment for mercury removal. Albino rats aged 6 weeks and 7-day-old sucklings received a single intraperitoneal injection of 203Hg (as nitrate). Two weeks later they were treated with DMSA or Mi-ADMS (0.25 mmole/kg bw) on two consecutive days. The radioactivity in the carcass (whole body after removal of the gastrointestinal tract), liver, kidneys and brain was determined by solid crystal gamma scintillation counting six days after chelation therapy administration (3 weeks after 203Hg application). Both chelators reduced the body burden of mercury compared to controls. The effect of Mi-ADMS was superior to DMSA treatment in older rats for decreasing carcass and kidney retention, and in suckling rats for decreasing carcass, liver, and kidney retention. They were equally effective in decreasing brain retention in older rats and had no effect on brain retention in sucklings. The efficiency of Mi-ADMS in reducing the body burden of mercury was generally higher than the efficiency of the DMSA treatment. Therefore, Mi-ADMS deserves further attention as a late treatment for mercury removal.

Metal mutagenesis in transgenic Chinese hamster cell lines.

Metals are toxic agents for which genotoxic effects are often difficult to demonstrate. To study metal mutagenesis, we have used two stable hprt/gpt+ transgenic cell lines that were derived from Chinese hamster V79 cells. Both the G12 and G10 cell lines are known to be very sensitive to clastogens such as X-rays and bleomycin, with the mutagenic response of the integrated xanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (gpt) gene in G10 usually exceeding that of the same gene in the transgenic G12 cells. In studies with carcinogenic insoluble nickel compounds, a high level of mutagenesis was found at the gpt locus of G12 cells but not at the endogenous hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) locus of V79 cells. We have since demonstrated the similar recovery of a high frequency of viable G12 mutants with other insoluble nickel salts including nickel oxides (black and green). The relative mutant yield for the insoluble nickel compounds (G12 > G10) is the opposite of that obtained with nonmetal clastogens (G10 > G12). In the G12 cells, nickel mutagenesis may be related to the integration of the gpt sequence into a heterochromatic region of the genome. For some of the insoluble nickel compounds, significant inhibition of both cytotoxicity and mutant yield resulted when the G12 cells were pretreated with vitamin E. In comparison with the nickel studies, the mutagenic responses to chromium compounds in these cell lines were not as dramatic. Mutagenesis of the gpt target could not be demonstrated with other metals such as mercury or vanadium.

Mutagenic responses of nickel oxides and nickel sulfides in Chinese hamster V79 cell lines at the xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus.

Mutagenesis of several insoluble nickel compounds--crystalline nickel sulfide NiS, nickel subsulfide Ni3S2, nickel oxides (black and green) and soluble NiCl2 was studied in three Chinese hamster cell lines--at the hprt gene of the well-defined V79 cell line, and at gpt in two transgenic derivative cell lines G12 and G10. The transgenic cell line G12 responded very strongly to the insoluble Ni compounds, such that the gpt mutagenesis was at least 20 times higher than the spontaneous mutagenesis and in some experiments was even higher. In contrast the response of the G10 cells was much lower--the mutant frequencies only increased 2-3 times over the controls. In V79 cells, NiS and NiO (black) did not induce a mutagenic response at hprt. Soluble NiCl2 also exhibited no mutagenic activity in V79 cells and induced considerably lower activity than the insoluble compounds in the transgenic G12 cells. Following vitamin E pretreatment of G12 cells for 24 h prior to nickel exposure, increased cell survival was observed for several insoluble Ni compounds whereas vitamin E had no effect on NiCl2 cytotoxicity. With vitamin E pretreatment, significantly lower mutagenic responses in G12 cells were also noted for some insoluble Ni compounds, while no such effect was observed for NiCl2.

Carbodithioate MeOBDCG for decreasing intracellular cadmium deposits in rats of different ages.

The efficiency of chelating agents to remove aged intracellular deposits of cadmium in young and older rats was studied. The administration of the chelating agent sodium N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-D-glucamine-N-carbodithioate monohydrate (MeOBDCG) 2 wk after a single intraperitoneal 115m Cd administration reduced the whole body, liver, and kidney retention in suckling rats to about 63, 42, and 71 percent and in older rats to 39, 17, and 76 percent of values obtained in respective controls. Chelation therapy was generally more effective in older than younger rats and the age-related effect was most pronounced in the liver. These results indicate that specific features of young organisms may significantly alter the effect of chelation treatment.

Mechanisms of chromium carcinogenicity and toxicity.

Chromium, like many transition metal elements, is essential to life at low concentrations yet toxic to many systems at higher concentrations. In addition to the overt symptoms of acute chromium toxicity, delayed manifestations of chromium exposure become apparent by subsequent increases in the incidence of various human cancers. Chromium is widely used in numerous industrial processes, and as a result is a contaminant of many environmental systems. Chromium, in its myriad chemical forms and oxidation states, has been well studied in terms of its general chemistry and its interactions with biological molecules. However, the precise mechanisms by which chromium is both an essential metal and a carcinogen are not yet fully clear. The following review does not seek to embellish upon the proposed mechanisms of the toxic and carcinogenic actions of chromium, but rather provides a comprehensive review of these theories. The chemical nature of chromium compounds and how these properties impact upon the interactions of chromium with cellular and genetic targets, including animal and human hosts, are discussed.

Dithiocarbamate analog N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-dithiocarboxy-D-glucamine reduces the retention of ingested cadmium in rats.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of oral and intraperitoneal treatment with N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate monohydrate (MeOBDCG) after a single oral administration of 115mCd to 6-week-old rats. Oral treatment reduced the retention of 115mCd in the whole body, gut, liver and kidney by 5, 3, 4 and 3 times respectively, and intraperitoneal treatment reduced the retention by 7, 2.5, 16 and 4.5 times, respectively. This finding is new, since it was believed that oral dithiocarbamate treatment would increase the toxicity and absorption of ingested cadmium.

Influence of age and time of administration of dithiocarbamate analogues on cadmium retention in rats.

In the present study the influence of age and time of chelation therapy on cadmium retention in 6-, 11-and 14-day-old rats and in 6-week-old rats has been investigated. Chelating agents N-benzyl-dithiocarboxy-D-glucamine (BDCG), sodium N-(metho-xybenzyl)-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate monohydrate (MeOBDCG) and N-methyl-N-dithiocarboxy-D-glucamine (MDCG) were administered intraperitoneally to three different groups at a dose of 1 mmol kg-1 body weight on two occasions following 115mCd intraperitoneal administration; immediately and after 24 h; after 24 h and 48 h; or after 48 h and 72 h. The 115mCd retention in the whole body and organs was determined 6 days after cadmium administration. Chelation therapy very effectively reduced cadmium retention in the whole body and organs, MeOBDCG being the most effective. The effects of chelating agents were significantly more pronounced in older than younger animals and in the case of early rather than late administration. The highest fraction of cadmium administered was retained in the liver, where also the strongest effect of chelation therapy was observed. Mobilized cadmium was excreted almost exclusively by the faecal route.

Factors influencing the efficiency of chelation therapy.

The purpose of the present study was to obtain new data on the effect of age, route, dose and time of metal and chelating agent administration on the efficiency of chelation therapy. The experiments were performed on 1-2 and 6-week-old rats which received radioisotopes of metals--203Pb, 115 mCd, 203Hg and 141Ce intraperitoneally or orally. Chelating agents calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (CaEDTA), calcium and zinc diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (CaDTPA, ZnDTPA), 2,3-dimercapto-propane-sulfonate-1 (DMPS), dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and sodium N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate monohydrate (MeOBDCG) were administered twice by intraperitoneal or oral administration as early (immediately and 24 hr after metals) or delayed treatment (24 and 48 or 48 and 72 hr after metals). The animals were killed six days after metal administration and the retention was determined in the whole body, carcass and gut. After intraperitoneal administration of metals and chelating agents chelation therapy had much lower efficacy in younger than older animals. After ingestion of metals oral chelation therapy was more effective in younger than older animals. In suckling rats the treatment effectively reduced metal retention and this was mostly due to decrease in gut retention. This treatment in sucklings was also very effective in condition of late administration. In older rats early oral DMPS treatment after 203Hg ingestion is contraindicated since it increases significantly mercury retention while DMSA and ZnDTPA treatments reduced mercury retention. Delayed oral treatment with ZnDTPA and DMSA caused increased cadmium retention in older rats and decreased retention in sucklings. Opposite to results with CaDTPA, MeOBDCG was effective in reducing cadmium retention also when given as delayed treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of nutritional factors on 239Np and 233Pa retention in weanling rats.

The estimated intestinal absorption after a single administration of 239Np-nitrate to fasted weanling rats (about 2% of the oral dose) was ten times higher than that of 233Pa administered as the chloride. Rats drinking tomato juice, apple juice or tea instead of water had a similar retention to the control group. However, when a small amount of tea was administered immediately before 239Np, the absorption and retention values were six times lower. When animals received only milk or glucose, the whole body retention of 239Np and 233Pa increased about 20 and 200-300 times, respectively, due mainly to a very high retention in the large intestine. When rats were fed milk plus rat chow, the whole body and gut retention of 233Pa was only two and three times higher, respectively; in the other organs less 233Pa was found than in control animals. This indicates that the extremely high retention of radionuclides in the gut contents of young rats fed only milk is temporary and disappears when solid food is available.

Gut retention of metals in rats.

In sucklings, a high fraction of orally administered metals and radionuclides is retained in the gut. The location of elements in the gut is of interest because of their potential local health effect. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the influence of chelation therapy on gut retention and location of cadmium, mercury, and cerium in suckling rats. Radionuclides 115mCd, 203Hg, and 141Ce were administered orally to 6-d-old rats. Chelating agent Zn-DTPA (3.64 mmol/kg) was administered to animals that received 115mCd or 141Ce and Na-DMPS (375 mumols/kg) to those that received 203Hg, immediately and 24 h or 24 and 48 h after radionuclide administration. Radioactivity was determined in the whole body and gastrointestinal tract 6 d later. Both early and delayed chelation treatment very effectively reduced whole body retention, and this was mainly owing to reduced gut retention. Although chelation therapy reduced gut retention of administered radionuclides 3-30 times, the site of metal accumulation and retention in the intestine remained unchanged. For all 3 radionuclides, both after early and delayed therapy, the site of metal accumulation was always the lower part of small intestine-ileum.

Oral Zn-DTPA treatment reduces cadmium absorption and retention in rats.

This work was performed to evaluate the possibility of using early oral diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) therapy for decreasing absorption and retention of cadmium. Albino rats (6 days and 6 weeks old) were used. 115mCd was administered orally. Zn-DTPA was also given orally (3.64 mmol/kg) immediately after 115mCd and 24 h thereafter. Radioactivity in body and organs was determined 6 days later. In sucklings this treatment decreased whole body and gut retention 7-9 times and kidney and liver retention 2-3 times. In older rats it decreased whole body, gut and organ retention 4-5 times. This finding deserves attention since it is generally believed that DTPA is not indicated for early treatment, i.e. while the toxic metals or radionuclides are still in the gastrointestinal tract.

Oral Zn-DTPA therapy for reducing 141Ce retention in suckling rats.

In neonatal rats DTPA reduced the intestinal retention of cerium ingested as an additive in its chloride form to milk. It also reduced retention of absorbed cerium. A similar decrease of cerium retention in gut and whole body was obtained after simultaneous or 24 hours' delayed DTPA administration.

Dietary treatment for decreasing 141Ce body burden in immature rats.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of prolonged (immediate or delayed) administration of dietary additives to suckling rats on the absorption and retention of radioactive cerium in the body. The experiment was performed on 6-day-old suckling rats. According to dietary treatment the animals were divided into three groups. Each group was artificially fed over 8 h for 6 or 12 days on one of the diets: the first group of animals was fed milk, the second group was given ingredients of rat diet and the third received milk during the first 2 days of the experiment and the ingredients of rat diet afterwards. At the end of the artificial feeding period the pups returned to their mothers and suckled overnight. On the 1st day of the experiment the food was labelled with 141Ce. Whole body radioactivity was determined in a double crystal scintillation counter every 48 h over a 12-day period. Half of the animals from each group were killed 6 days after 141Ce administration and the other half after 12 days. At these intervals retention was determined in the gut, liver, kidneys and femur. The early and delayed administration of rat diet ingredients--fish meal, sunflower meal, alfalfa, cane molasses and premix--greatly reduced whole body retention. The early treatment was more efficacious than the delayed one. The reduction was mostly due to decreased gut retention but organ retentions were also lower. The results obtained indicate that by prolonged (immediate or delayed) administration of some dietary means the retention of radioactive cerium in sucklings can be significantly decreased.

Reduction of 141Ce absorption in suckling rats.

The influence of diet or its ingredients on 141Ce absorption and retention was investigated in six-day-old rats. Animals were fed over 8h with cow's milk, rat diet or a mixture of rat diet ingredients (fish meal, sunflower meal, alfalfa, cane molasses and premix) labelled with 141Ce. Whole-body radioactivity was determined in a double crystal scintillation counter every 24 h over a six-day period. Gut, liver, kidney and femur retention and cerium distribution in the gut was determined at the end of the experiment. Compared to milk diet, administration of rat diet or ingredients caused respectively 3 and 7.5 times lower whole body retention. Carcass retention was reduced by rat diet or ingredients 2-3 times and intestinal retention 3 and 8 times respectively. Irrespective of the dietary treatment the main site of cerium intestinal retention was the ileum. Our present results indicate that some compounds of rat diet might be considered as a means of reducing cerium absorption and intestinal retention in the very young.