Only low levels of exogenous N-acetyltransferase can be achieved in transgenic mice.

Therapeutic and environmental aromatic amines and hydrazines are substrates for the arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NAT). In all, 10 transgenic lines containing either the human NAT1 or NAT2 transgene were developed using multiple promoters. The presence of the transgene was confirmed by determining copy number, mRNA and enzyme activity. Despite some lines having high copy numbers of the transgene, only modest or no increases in enzymatic activity could be found in a variety of tissues. The NAT1 transgene could not be bred to homozygosity. The cytomegalovirus (CMV)-promoted NAT1 transgene increased endogenous Nat1 mRNA levels in liver and had little effect on endogenous Nat2 mRNA levels. The presence of the CMV-promoted NAT2 transgene appeared to suppress endogenous hepatic Nat2 mRNA, but did not alter Nat1 mRNA levels. The failure to achieve high expression of any of the transgenes suggests that overexpression of NAT genes may have harmful effects during development.

Pharmacogenetics of the arylamine N-acetyltransferases: a symposium in honor of Wendell W. Weber.

This article is a report on a symposium sponsored by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics presented at the joint meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, June 4-8, Boston, Massachusetts. The presentations focused on the pharmacogenetics of the NAT1 and NAT2 arylamine N-acetyltransferases, including developmental regulation, structure-function relationships, and their possible role in susceptibility to breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers. The symposium honored Wendell W. Weber for over 35 years of leadership and scientific advancement in pharmacogenetics and was highlighted by his overview of the historical development of the field.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of methyleugenol and related congeners-- a mechanism of activation for methyleugenol.

Methyleugenol is a substituted alkenylbenzene found in a variety of foods, products, and essential oils. In a 2-year bioassay conducted by the National Toxicology Program, methyleugenol caused neoplastic lesions in the livers of Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F(1) mice. We were interested in the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity caused by methyleugenol and other alkenylbenzene compounds: safrole (a known hepatocarcinogen), eugenol, and isoeugenol. The endpoints were evaluated in cultured primary hepatocytes isolated from male Fischer 344 rats and female B6C3F(1) mice. Cytotoxicity was determined by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, while genotoxicity was determined by using the unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay. Rat and mouse hepatocytes showed similar patterns of toxicity for each chemical tested. Methyleugenol and safrole were relatively non-cytotoxic, but caused UDS at concentrations between 10 and 500 microM. In contrast, isoeugenol and eugenol produced cytotoxicity in hepatocytes with LC50s of approximately 200-300 microM, but did not cause UDS. Concurrent incubation of 2000 microM cyclohexane oxide (CHO), an epoxide hydrolase competitor, with a non-cytotoxic concentration of methyleugenol (10 microM) resulted in increased cytotoxicity but had no effect on genotoxicity. However, incubation of 15 microM pentacholorophenol, a sulfotransferase inhibitor, with 10 uM methyleugenol resulted in increased cytotoxicity but had a significant reduction of genotoxicity. These results suggest that methyleugenol is similar to safrole in its ability to cause cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in rodents. It appears that the bioactivation of methyleugenol to a DNA reactive electrophile is mediated by a sulfotransferase in rodents, but epoxide formation is not responsible for the observed genotoxicity.

Toxicity of the heterocyclic amine batracylin: investigation of rodent N-acetyltransferase activity and potential contribution of cytochrome P450 3A.

The heterocyclic amine, batracylin (BAT), is genotoxic and several lines of evidence suggest that acetylation is one step in the formation of a DNA-damaging product. The variation in susceptibility to BAT toxicity observed between rats and mice has also been linked to the acetylated product. BAT N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity was determined in rat and mouse hepatic cytosols. Formation of acetylbatracylin (ABAT) was 6 times greater in F-344 hepatic samples compared to either mouse strain, while hepatic BAT NAT activities were similar in C57B1/6 and A/J mice. No deacetylation of ABAT was detected. In contrast, 2-aminofluorene NAT activity in C57B1/6 hepatic cytosol was twice that of the A/J strain and activities in both strains of mice were greater than in rat. Deacetylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene was detected in both species with enzyme activities in C57B1/6>A/J>F-344. Hepatocytes from the F-344 rats, the species most sensitive to BAT toxicity, were used to investigate the contribution of other biotransformation reactions to BAT cytotoxicity. Leakage of cellular lactate dehydrogenase was greater in hepatocytes from male rats than from females, increased on in vivo exposure to dexamethasone, and decreased in the presence of troleandomycin, suggesting that CYP3A-mediated biotransformation of BAT is involved in the formation of a cytotoxic product. When phenol red, a substrate for UDP-glucuronsyltransferase (UDPGT), was absent from the medium, BAT cytotoxicity was reduced. These data are consistent with a role for NAT, CYP, and UDPGT in the biotransformation of BAT.

Mutagenicity of 4-aminobiphenyl and 4-acetylaminobiphenyl in Salmonella typhimurium strains expressing different levels of N-acetyltransferase.

4-Aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), an aromatic amine present in tobacco smoke, is an animal and human carcinogen. 4-ABP can undergo several biotransformation reactions to yield DNA-binding species. The role of acetylation in the biotransformation of 4-ABP to reactive intermediates was investigated by determining mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains expressing various levels of acetyltransferases (NAT/OAT). Strain YG1029, which has multiple copies of the NAT/OAT gene, was the most sensitive to 4-ABP. With rat S9 activation, 4-ABP (5 micrograms/plate) induced 789 +/- 98 revertants/plate. At that concentration, an average of 200 revertants/plate was seen in both TA100, which has a single copy of the NAT/OAT gene, and in TA100/1,8DNP6, which is NAT/OAT deficient. This pattern was also present when the bacteria were exposed to the acetylated derivative, 4-acetylaminobiphenyl (4-AABP). At 10 micrograms/plate, 4-AABP induced 855 +/- 47 revertants/plate in YG1029 while 169 +/- 39 and 149 +/- 28 revertants/plate were observed in strains TA100 and TA100/1,8DNP6, respectively. The mutagenic profiles of 4-ABP and 4-AABP observed with the mouse S9 activating system were similar to that seen with the rat. These data establish a correlation between increased bacterial NAT/OAT activity and increased mutagenicity of 4-ABP. Results with both 4-ABP and 4-AABP support acetylation of the oxygen to be a key step in activation.

N-acetylation of the heterocyclic amine batracylin by human liver.

Batracylin (8-aminoisoindolo[1,2-b]quinazolin-12(10 H)-one; BAT) is a heterocyclic amine that exhibits antitumor activity in a number of in vivo and in vitro models. The acetyl product has been implicated in BAT toxicity in animals, cells, and bacteria. The ability of human N-acetyltransferase (NAT) to form this product was investigated. Nine human liver samples were analyzed for NAT1 and NAT2 genotypes. Seven of the samples possessed at least one NAT1*4 allele. Three samples contained one or more NAT2*4 allele and were classified as rapid acetylators. The remaining six had two alleles associated with the slow phenotype. NAT activities were evaluated with BAT, sulfamethazine (SMZ), a preferential substrate for human NAT2, and p-aminobenzoic acid, a substrate for NAT1. BAT activities in the nine donor samples ranged from 14.9 to 0.56 nmol/min/mg. The mean apparent K(m) values in rapid acetylators for BAT, SMZ, and p-aminobenzoic acid were 6.59 +/- 3.21, 278 +/- 69.4, and 31.2 +/- 12.5 microM, respectively. The apparent K(m) values for slow acetylators did not differ from the rapid acetylator phenotype. However, a significant difference in the apparent V(max) for BAT and SMZ was observed between rapid and slow acetylators. Comparing the apparent intrinsic clearance (V(max)/K(m)) for BAT and SMZ, a significant correlation (r(2) = 0.97, p <.001) was observed. These data demonstrate that BAT N-acetylation is similar to SMZ, and suggests that BAT is a preferential substrate for human NAT2. Thus, rapid acetylators would be more likely to develop toxicity when exposed to this drug.

Developmental expression of N-acetyltransferases in C57BI/6 mice.

N-Acetyltransferases (NATs) play an important role in the biotransformation of a wide variety of arylamine drugs and carcinogens. Two genes (NAT1, NAT2) have been identified and allelic variation in NAT2 has been associated with arylamine toxicity in adults. Little information has been reported on expression of NAT genes during embryonic and fetal development although substrate specific NAT activity has been detected. The current study investigated the expression of NAT1 and NAT2 in mice pre-and postnatally. RNA was isolated from maternal liver, embryonic tissue at gestational days (GD) 10, 15, and 18, or neonates at neonatal day 3. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed using primers designed to amplify portions of either the NAT1 or the NAT2 gene. NAT1 and NAT2 mRNAs were detected in the embryo/placental complex at GD 10 and in GD 15 and 18 embryos. NAT2 but not NAT1 was expressed in GD 18 and neonatal day 3 hepatic tissue. These data demonstrate the differential expression of NAT genes in the mouse embryo and suggest a potential role for NAT in development.

Suppression of Kupffer cell function prevents cadmium induced hepatocellular necrosis in the male Sprague-Dawley rat.

Exposure of humans to toxic metals and metalloids is a major environmental problem. Many metals, such as cadmium, can be hepatotoxic. However, the mechanisms by which metals cause acute hepatic injury are in many cases unknown. Previous reports suggest a major role for inflammation in acute cadmium induced hepatotoxicity. In initial experiments we found that a non-hepatotoxic dose of cadmium chloride (CdCl2; 2.0 mg/kg, i.v.) markedly increased the clearance rate of colloidal carbon from the blood, which is indicative of enhanced phagocytic activity by Kupffer cells (resident hepatic macrophages). Thus. the objective these studies was to determine the involvement of Kupffer cells in cadmium induced liver injury by inhibiting their function with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered GdCl3 (10 mg/kg, i.v.) followed 24 h later by a single dose of CdCl2 (3.0 and 4.0 mg/kg, i.v.). Twenty four hours after CdCl2 administration animals were killed and the degree of liver toxicity was assessed using plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as light microscopy. Cadmium chloride administration produced multifocal hepatocellular necrosis and increased plasma ALT activity. Pretreatment with GdCl3 significantly reduced both the morphological changes and hepatic ALT release caused by CdCl2. However, the protection was specific to the liver, and did not alter CdCl2 induced testicular injury, as determined by histopathological damage. In many cases, the inducible cadmium-binding protein, metallothionein (MT) is often an essential aspect of the acquisition of cadmium tolerance in the liver. Although cadmium caused a dramatic induction of hepatic MT (32-fold), GdCl3 caused only a minor increase (2-fold). Combined CdCl2 and GdCl3 treatment did not induce levels to an extent greater than CdCl2 alone. As expected, GdCl3 also caused a slight increase in the amount of cadmium associated with the liver. In cultured hepatocytes isolated from GdCl3 pretreated rats, CdCl2 induced cytotoxicity was not significantly altered compared to control hepatocytes, indicating that the mechanism of tolerance required the presence of other cell types. Thus, GdCl3 attenuation of CdCl2 induced hepatotoxicity does not appear to be caused by increased tissue MT content or a decreased susceptibility of hepatocytes to cadmium. From these data, we concluded that tolerance to cadmium induced hepatotoxicity involves the inhibition of Kupffer cell function which results in a decreased inflammatory response and an altered progression of hepatic injury. These data further indicate that Kupffer cell function is critical to cadmium induced hepatocellular necrosis.

Participation of cytochromes P4502B and P4503A in cocaine toxicity in rat hepatocytes.

The contributions of cytochromes P4502B (P4502B) and cytochrome P4503A (P4503A) to the bioactivation of cocaine in hepatocytes isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were assessed using a number of approaches. Hepatocytes were isolated from rats pretreated with either phenobarbital or dexamethasone. Exposure to from 50 to 500 microM of either cocaine or norcocaine resulted in toxicity in hepatocytes from phenobarbital-induced rats. Hepatocytes from dexamethasone-induced rats displayed greater resistance to toxicity mediated by either compound. Although microsomes from dexamethasone- and phenobarbital-induced rats catalyzed cocaine N-demethylation at the same rate, only inhibition of P4502B activity by chloramphenicol and not inhibition of P4503A activity by troleandomycin was associated with protection against cocaine or norcocaine-mediated toxicity. Further, inhibition of P4502B was only effective in protecting against toxicity in hepatocytes isolated from phenobarbital-induced rats. The effects of phenobarbital induction in rats, dogs, and guinea pigs, and the abilities of purified P4502B proteins from rats, dogs, and rabbits to N-demethylate cocaine were investigated. Cytochromes P4502B from different species exhibited different rates of cocaine N-demethylation; microsomes from the guinea pig were able to N-demethylate cocaine at the fastest rate, followed by the dog and the rat. Expressed human P4502B6 exhibited no ability to either N-demethylate cocaine or produce cocaine- or norcocaine-mediated toxicity in lymphoblastoid cells. These results suggest that, although P4502B and P4503A both catalyze the initial oxidation of cocaine in rats, only P4502Bs are involved in further oxidations leading to toxicity. The importance of P4502Bs toward cocaine bioactivation will depend on species-specific isoform activities.

The role of acetylation in the mutagenicity of the antitumor agent, batracylin.

The role of acetylation in the genotoxicity of the heterocyclic amine, batracylin, was evaluated in Salmonella typhimurium strains expressing various levels of N- and O-acetyltransferase activity. A significant correlation was observed between batracylin-induced mutagenicity and bacterial N-acetyltransferase activity. Strains with the greatest capacity for N-acetylating batracylin (YG 1012 and YG 1024) were the most sensitive to the mutagenic effects of the drug. The number of revertants/nmol batracylin and the formation of acetylbatracylin were approximately 50-fold greater in YG 1024 compared to TA 98 which expresses endogenous levels of N-acetyltransferase. A similar response was observed with strains YG 1012 and TA 1538. Strains (TA 98/1,8-DNP6 or TA 1538/1,8-DNP6) which lack the ability to N-acetylate batracylin were the least sensitive to the mutagenic effects of the drug. At 1 microgram/plate of batracylin, the number of revertants in TA 1538 and TA 98 was 4-fold higher than that observed in TA 1538/1,8-DNP6 and TA 98/1,8-DNP6. To determine if batracylin was a substrate for human N-acetyltransferases, assays were performed in bacteria expressing NAT1 or NAT2. Both strains were capable of N-acetylating batracylin. The strain expressing NAT2 (DJ 460) formed a significantly greater amount of acetylbatracylin, as well as batracylin-induced revertants, compared to the strain expressing NAT1 (DJ 400). These results demonstrate that the mutagenicity of batracylin is directly related to N-acetyltransferase activity. Data obtained in bacteria expressing either human NAT1 and NAT2 show that batracylin is capable of being bioactivated by both human enzymes. In addition, the higher enzyme activity and mutagenicity in bacteria expressing NAT2 suggests that batracylin is a substrate of this enzyme in humans.

Acetylation and its role in the mutagenicity of the antihypertensive agent hydralazine.

1-Hydrazinophthalazine [hydralazine (HDZ)] is a hydrazine derivative that is a direct acting vasodilator effective in the treatment of essential hypertension. HDZ is biotransformed by the phase II conjugation enzyme N-acetyltransferase (NAT) forming acetyl HDZ, which spontaneously cyclized to the stable product 3-methyl-s-triazolo- [3,4-alpha]-phthalazine (MTP). Therapeutic use of HDZ has resulted in adverse side effects, specifically a drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. Slow acetylators are more likely than rapid acetylators to develop this toxicity. Bacteria expressing different levels of NAT were used to test the hypothesis that acetylation of HDZ decreases its mutagenic potential. The variation in NAT activities was confirmed by incubating bacterial cultures with HDZ, and the formation of MTP was monitored by HPLC. At 1.0 mg/ml HDZ, YG1029 (NAT overexpresser) produced 5.3 times the amount of MTP as TA100 (normal NAT expresser), and this production was linear for 20 hr. In the Salmonella mutagenesis assay, HDZ produced a dose- and strain-dependent increase in the number of revertants observed. Exposure to 4 mg HDZ/plate resulted in 1000 revertants in the overexpressing strain, YG1029, whereas both TA100 and TA100/1,8DNP6, which express normal levels and lack the NAT protein respectively, produced 1600 revertants. Colony hybridization analysis using probes for each of the six possible TA100 reverting mutations was performed to determine the nature of the mutations. The G:C to T:A transversion was the only mutation whose frequency was increased significantly by HDZ. Fifty-four percent of the induced vs. 25% of the spontaneous mutations were C to A transversions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of isoindolo[1,2-b]quinazolinone and isoindolo[2,1-a]benzimidazole derivatives related to the antitumor agent batracylin.

The synthesis and pharmacological activity of isoindolo[1,2-b]quinazolin-12(10H)-ones and isoindolo[2,1-a]benzimidazoles related to batracylin are described. The acute toxicity of batracyclin has been associated with the formation of its N-acetyl metabolite which is a potent inducer of unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes. The desamino derivative and the 8-aza analog of batracylin retained the ability to inhibit topoisomerase II but did not induce unscheduled DNA synthesis. While less active than batracylin, these analogs were cytotoxic to CCRF CEM leukemia cells. The isoindolo[2,1-a]benzimidazole derivatives were inactive as topoisomerase II inhibitors and, in general, failed to exhibit comparable antitumor activity or to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis.

Recommendations for the performance of UDS tests in vitro and in vivo.

The Working Group (WG) dealt with the harmonization of routine methodologies of tests for unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to the existing guidelines from OECD, EPA and EC on in vitro UDS tests (there is no Japanese UDS guideline), the Working Group recommends that in general in vitro UDS tests should be performed with primary hepatocytes. For routine applications any other cell types would need special justification. Hepatocytes from male rats are preferable, unless there are contra-indications on the basis of e.g. toxicokinetic data. According to the OECD, EPA and EC guidelines, UDS may be analysed by means of autoradiography (AR) or liquid scintillation counting (LSC). The WG recommends use of AR. LSC is less suitable due to the problem of differentiation between UDS activity and replicative DNA synthesis, and the disadvantage that cells cannot be analysed individually. Since a specific cell type was recommended by the WG, methodological aspects could be described in more detail than in the present guidelines. For in vitro tests, it was agreed that the initial viability of freshly isolated hepatocytes should be at least 70%. With regard to the need for confirmatory experiments in the event of a clear-cut negative result, the majority view was that confirmation by a second (normally not identical) experiment is still needed; this is in line with the present OECD and EC guidelines. Evaluation of results from UDS tests should be based primarily on net nuclear grain (NNG) values, although it is recognised that nuclear and cytoplasmic grains result from different biological processes. Since grain counts are influenced by a number of methodological parameters, no global threshold NNG value can be recommended for discrimination of positive and negative UDS results. For in vitro assays, the criteria for positive findings go beyond those of the present guidelines and two alternative approaches are given which are based on (1) dose-dependent increases in NNG values and (2) reproducibility, dose-effect relationship and cytotoxicity. At present there is no official guideline on the performance of in vivo UDS tests. Some fundamental recommendations given for in vitro methodology also apply to the in vivo assay. For routine testing with the in vivo UDS test, again the general use of hepatocytes from male rats is recommended. However, concerning the requirement to use one or two sexes, consistency with other in vivo genotoxicity assays (e.g. the micronucleus assay) would be preferable. As for the in vitro methodology, AR is preferred rather than LSC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Species variation in the genotoxicity of batracylin.

Batracylin (8-aminoisoindolo[1,2-b]quinazolin-12(10H)-one), an experimental chemotherapeutic agent, is a heterocyclic aryl amine. The presence of the free amino group suggests that this compound may be a carcinogen. Since many carcinogens or their product interact with DNA, the genotoxicity of batracylin was evaluated. The mutagenicity of batracylin was tested in Salmonella typhimurium (TA 98, TA 100, TA 102) with and without Aroclor-induced rat liver S9. Batracylin induced histidine revertants in all three strains with a higher number of mutants formed in the presence of S9. The maximum mutant incidence as well as the lowest concentration inducing a positive response was observed with TA 98 which detects frameshift mutations. Genotoxicity was further assessed by the induction of DNA repair in hepatocytes isolated from F-344 rats and two mouse strains differing in N-acetyltransferase activity. In hepatocytes from male F-344 rats, batracylin elicited DNA repair at concentrations of 5 x 10(-8) to 10(-6) M. Maximum repair was observed in both strains of mice at 5 x 10(-5) M batracylin, a concentration that was toxic to rat hepatocytes. Cells isolated from the rapid acetylator strain, C57BL/6J, tended to have higher net grain counts than observed with the slow acetylator (A/J) strain, although the differences were not statistically significant. These results demonstrate that batracylin is genotoxic in bacteria and mammalian cells. The species variation in the genotoxicity of batracylin is consistent with in vivo toxicity studies.

Bioassay of quinoline, 5-fluoroquinoline, carbazole, 9-methylcarbazole and 9-ethylcarbazole in newborn mice.

Quinoline and carbazole are among the more prevalent aza-arenes present as components of environmental pollutants. Both of these aza-arenes are hepatocarcinogenic to mice when administered in the diet. The hepatocarcinogenic potential of quinoline is consistent with its mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and potential to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat hepatocytes. Structure-activity studies with fluorinated quinolines indicate that the presence of a fluorine atom at the 5-position of quinoline may inhibit detoxification and result in enhanced genotoxic potency. Quinoline and 5-fluoroquinoline were assayed in newborn CD-1 mice at a total dose of 1.75 mumol to establish their relative tumorigenic activity. Liver tumours developed in 60 and 90% of the male newborn mice treated with quinoline and 5-fluoroquinoline, respectively. The majority of liver tumours observed among the quinoline-treated mice were classified as adenomas. In contrast, liver carcinomas developed in most of the male mice treated with 5-fluoroquinoline. Unlike the well established genotoxic potential of quinoline, there is limited evidence for carbazole having either genotoxic or carcinogenic activity. Whereas carbazole is not mutagenic towards several strains of S. typhimurium, both 9-methylcarbazole and 9-ethylcarbazole are active as mutagens in S. typhimurium TA100. Carbazole, 9-methylcarbazole and 9-ethylcarbazole were assayed in primary rat hepatocytes to assess their relative potential to induce UDS in rat hepatocytes; only 9-ethylcarbazole did so. These carbazole derivatives were also assayed in newborn CD-1 mice at a total dose of 1.75 mumol. Neither carbazole nor either of these 9-alkylcarbazoles produced a significant tumorigenic response in this bioassay system.

Mutagenicity of hydralazine in mammalian cells and bacteria.

The genotoxicity of hydralazine (HDZ), an antihypertensive agent, was evaluated in mammalian cells and bacteria. The formation of mutants at the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus in an adult rat liver cell line ARL 18 was determined. Bacterial mutagenicity was assessed in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA102. The latter strain was chosen because it has A:T bases at the reversion site and HDZ has been reported to interact with thymidine. HDZ was mutagenic to ARL 18 cells with a concentration-dependent increase in mutants observed at 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-4) M. At 5 x 10(-4) M HDZ, there were 110 mutants/10(6) colony-forming cells compared to 129 for cells exposed to 10(-4) M benzo(a)pyrene, a known genotoxin. Bacterial mutants were observed with HDZ in both strains in the absence of an activating system. HDZ also induced mutants in the presence of S-9 from Aroclor-induced rat liver or uninduced rabbit liver. These results were consistent with previous reports of the mutagenicity of HDZ in TA100 and extend the observations to TA102, a strain designed to detect oxidative damage. This study also provides the first evidence of the mutagenicity of HDZ in mammalian cells. These data support the genotoxicity of HDZ in in vitro systems.

Study of potential in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity in hepatocytes of quinolone antibiotics.

The genotoxicity of quinolone antibiotics has been evaluated in hepatocytes following in vitro and in vivo exposure. Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) was induced in vitro in rat hepatocytes by norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, and ciprofloxacin but not by nalidixic acid. In vivo UDS was not observed in hepatocytes isolated 4 to 24 hr after exposure of adult male F344 rats to either a single dose (30 to 190 mg/kg) or repeated doses (40 mg/kg) of ciprofloxacin. Using the 32P-postlabeling technique, no modified bases were detected in hepatocytes exposed in vitro to ciprofloxacin. In summary, UDS was induced in hepatocytes by in vitro exposure to high concentrations of norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, or ciprofloxacin. There was no evidence of in vitro DNA adduct formation by ciprofloxacin or in vivo DNA damage under the conditions tested. These findings suggest that ciprofloxacin is not DNA reactive, but it induces in vitro UDS as a consequence of some indirect action.

Genotoxicity of fluoroquinolines and methylquinolines.

Quinoline in the presence of microsomal activation exhibits mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and induces unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat hepatocytes. Structure-activity studies were performed to determine those positions on quinoline critically associated with its genotoxicity. In assays performed to determine the ability of 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-methylquinoline to induce UDS, only 4- and 8-methylquinoline produced a positive response. This represents an improved correlation for these methylquinolines with tumorigenic activity as compared to that previously observed with mutagenic activity in S. typhimurium TA100. The complete isomeric series of fluoroquinolines were evaluated as mutagens in S. typhimurium TA100 and for their potential to induce UDS in rat hepatocytes. The only isomers that did not exhibit significant mutagenic activity were 2- and 3-fluoroquinoline. Among these isomeric fluoroquinolines 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-fluoroquinoline are capable of inducing UDS. No significant effect on UDS was observed for 2-, 3- or 4-fluoroquinoline. These data indicate that positions 1-3 in quinoline are critical sites associated with its genotoxicity.

Sex and strain differences in the hepatocyte primary culture/DNA repair test.

The hepatocyte primary culture (HPC)/DNA repair test was developed using hepatocytes isolated from male F-344 rats. A number of genetic polymorphisms have been shown to occur in inbred strains of rats, which may lead to variation in biotransformation of xenobiotics resulting in differences in susceptibility to genotoxins. The effect of the strain utilized as a source of hepatocytes was investigated with female Lewis, F-344, and DA rats. Variation was observed when hepatocytes from the three strains were exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Hepatocytes from female Lewis rats were more sensitive to AFB1 genotoxicity than cells from F-344 or DA rats. DNA repair was induced by a concentration as low as 10(-8) M AFB1 in the Lewis strain while 10(-4) M was needed for hepatocytes from female F-344 or DA rats. Sex-related differences were also observed with AFB1; DNA repair was induced at 10(-8) M in hepatocytes from male F-344 rats. No clearcut strain differences were seen when cells were exposed to diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or 2-acetylaminofluorene, although 10(-2) M DEN was only cytotoxic to hepatocytes from DA rats. These results demonstrate that both the strain and the sex of the animal used as a source of hepatocytes can affect the HPC/DNA repair test.

Toxicity studies of butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. I. Genetic and cellular effects.

The cellular effects of the antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene were studied in a battery of in vitro tests. No evidence of genotoxicity was obtained for either compound in the hepatocyte primary culture/DNA repair test, the Salmonella/microsome mutagenesis test, the adult rat liver epithelial cell/hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase test, or for butylated hydroxyanisole in the Chinese hamster ovary cell/sister chromatid exchange test. Both compounds inhibited intercellular molecular exchange between cultured liver cells, an effect that has been observed for many agents with neoplasm-promoting activity.