Kamiohnoyneosides A and B, two new polyacetylene glycosides from flowers of edible Chrysanthemum "Kamiohno".

Two new polyacetylene glycosides, kamiohnoyneosides A and B, were isolated from the flowers of edible Chrysanthemum "Kamiohno", along with a known polyacetylene glycoside and two known monoterpene glycosides. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Kamiohnoyneoside A and three known compounds moderately inhibited formation of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine, one of the representative advanced glycation endproducts.

Acylated Triterpene Saponins from the Stem Bark of Acer nikoense (Aceraceae).

Three new acylated triterpene saponins, acernikoenosides A-C (1-3), were isolated from the stem bark of Acer nikoense, together with a known sterol glucoside. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. This study provided the first example of triterpene saponins isolated from this plant. The anti-genotoxic activity of 1, 3 and 4 against ultraviolet irradiation was evaluated by comet assay.

Genotoxicity-suppressing effect of aqueous extract of Connarus ruber cortex on cigarette smoke-induced micronuclei in mouse peripheral erythrocytes.

INTRODUCTION: According to published information, it has not been determined whether the inhalation of cigarette smoke can induce chromosome aberrations and/or point mutations in mice, though cigarette smoke is clearly carcinogenic to mice. We tested clastogenicity of inhaled cigarette smoke in mouse by a micronucleus test using peripheral erythrocytes. Since it is important to determine the in vivo anti-genotoxic effect against inhaled cigarette smoke to reduce the risk of tobacco carcinogenesis, we also tested in vivo anti-gnotoxic effect against inhaled cigarette smoke of a Connarus extract whose in vitro anti-genotoxic effect was shown. RESULTS: Male ICR mice were exposed for 1 min to a 6-fold dilution of the smoke once a day for up to 14 consecutive days. Although the frequencies of reticulocytes with micronucleus (MNRETs) and erythrocytes with micronuclei (MN erythrocytes) did not increase within 72 h after a single inhalation of cigarette smoke, the frequency of MN erythrocytes increased significantly upon inhalation for 7 and 14 days. When the Connarus extract was fed to mice at >23.7 ppm during the inhalation period of 14 days, frequency of MN erythrocytes was significantly lower than that at 0 ppm. In vitro antioxidant activity of Connarus extract was almost same to that of vitamin C. The antioxidant activity of the Connarus extract might play an important role in its anti-genotoxic effect against cigarette smoke in vivo, like vitamins C. CONCLUSIONS: Consecutive inhalation of cigarette smoke is clastogenic to mouse bone marrow as shown by the increased frequency of MN erythrocytes. Also, it was shown the possibility that the Connarus extract reduces the risk of tobacco carcinogenesis.

Is the comet assay a sensitive procedure for detecting genotoxicity?

Although the Comet assay, a procedure for quantitating DNA damage in mammalian cells, is considered sensitive, it has never been ascertained that its sensitivity is higher than the sensitivity of other genotoxicity assays in mammalian cells. To determine whether the power of the Comet assay to detect a low level of genotoxic potential is superior to those of other genotoxicity assays in mammalian cells, we compared the results of Comet assay with those of micronucleus test (MN test). WTK1 human lymphoblastoid cells were exposed to methyl nitrosourea (MNU), ethyl nitrosourea (ENU), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), bleomycin (BLM), or UVC. In Comet assay, cells were exposed to each mutagen with (Comet assay/araC) and without (Comet assay) DNA repair inhibitors (araC and hydroxyurea). Furthermore, acellular Comet assay (acellular assay) was performed to determine how single-strand breaks (SSBs) as the initial damage contributes to DNA migration and/or to micronucleus formation. The lowest genotoxic dose (LGD), which is defined as the lowest dose at which each mutagen causes a positive response on each genotoxicity assay, was used to compare the power of the Comet assay to detect a low level of genotoxic potential and that of MN test; that is, a low LGD indicates a high power. Results are summarized as follows: (1) for all mutagens studied, LGDs were MN test ≦ Comet assay; (2) except for BLM, LGDs were Comet assay/araC ≦ MN test; (3) except for UVC and MNU, LGDs were acellular assay ≦ Comet assay/araC ≦ MN test ≦ Comet assay. The following is suggested by the present findings: (1) LGD in the Comet assay is higher than that in MN test, which suggests that the power of the MN test to detect a low level of genotoxic potential is superior to that of the Comet assay; (2) for the studied mutagens, all assays were able to detect all mutagens correctly, which suggests that the sensitivity of the Comet assay and that of the MN test were exactly identical; (3) the power of the Comet assay to detect a low level of genotoxic potential can be elevated to a level higher than that of MN test by using DNA resynthesis inhibitors, such as araC and HU.

Differential colon DNA damage induced by azo food additives between rats and mice.

Azo dyes, amaranth, allura red and new coccine, which are currently used as food color additives in Japan, have been reported to cause colon specific DNA damage in mice. To examine species difference in the DNA damage between rats and mice, each of dyes was administered to male mice (1 and 10 mg/kg) and male rats (10, 100 and 1,000 mg/kg) by gavage. Brain, lung, liver, kidney, glandular stomach, colon, urinary bladder and bone marrow were sampled 3 hr (for mice) and 3, 6, 12 and 24 hr (for rats) after the treatment. The alkaline comet assay showed DNA damage in the mouse colon 3 hr after the administration of all of the dyes at 10 mg/kg. In rats, however, none of the dyes damaged DNA. Azo dyes should undergo metabolic reduction in the colon to be adducted to DNA. To determine transit time of the dyes to the colon after their administration, gastric emptying and intestinal transport in mice and rats were examined using brilliant blue FCF (BB) as an indicator. The half times of gastric emptying were 70 and 80 min for mice and rats, respectively; and about 60% of the BB was removed from the stomach 1 hr after the gastric intubation in both mice and rats. BB reached the mouse and rat colon 1 and 3 hr after the administration, respectively. Considering the wide dose range and sampling times well covering the transit time to the colon, rats may be insensitive to these azo dye-induced DNA damage.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Adoptive Cell Transfer on Survival of Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme: Case Reports.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which occurs mostly in individuals over the age of 40, accounts for 12-15% of all primary brain tumors. Patients with GBM have a poor prognosis, even after aggressive upfront therapies. The present study documents that in 5 of these patients, the use of a novel immunotherapeutic approach combined with standard initial therapies resulted in a prolonged survival of over 3 years, which is significantly longer than the expected survival time with conventional therapies. During the course of intravenous cell-transfer immunotherapy, axial magnetic resonance images of the tumor region were monitored for over 5 years. The discontinuation of adoptive transfer regimens resulted in the rapid deterioration of patients with development of Gd-enhancing regions, indicating the initiation of tumor recurrence. Among patients with recurrence, the reinstatement of adoptive cell regimens with more frequent cell-transfers resulted in an apparent re-regression of tumors. Significantly longer survival times were seen in patients receiving transferred autologous lymphoid cells which were expanded in vitro, and which had a considerable proportion of gammadeltaT cells. We conclude that immunotherapy, combined with standard treatment, plays a significant role in the management of GBM patients and provides patients with a better prognosis.

Assessment of DNA damage in multiple organs of mice after whole body X-irradiation using the comet assay.

The comet assay was performed to elucidate the linearity of calibration curves and detection limits for DNA damage in multiple organs of whole body X-irradiated mice, and rates of reduction in DNA damage by DNA repair during the irradiation period were estimated in the respective organs by comparing the rates of increase in DNA damage at different absorbed dose rates of X-rays. Of the assay parameters, tail length and the percentage DNA in the tail showed a higher sensitivity to DNA damage in most organs than Olive tail moment. Data at the higher absorbed dose rates (2.22 or 1.44 Gy/min) showed good correlations between absorbed doses and these two parameters, with correlation coefficients of more than 0.7 in many organs. However, this assay had difficulty detecting DNA damage at the lower absorption dose rate (0.72 Gy/min). The estimated rates of increase in DNA damage and those of DNA repair during the irradiation period in the respective organs suggested differences in the radiosensitivity of nuclear DNA and DNA repair capacity among organs. Our results indicated that absorbed dose rates of 1.0-1.3 Gy/min or greater were needed to induce detectable DNA damages by the comet assay in many organs.

Fourth International Workgroup on Genotoxicity testing: results of the in vivo Comet assay workgroup.

As part of the Fourth International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT), held 9-10 September 2005 in San Francisco, California, an expert working group on the Comet assay was convened to review and discuss some of the procedures and methods recommended in previous documents. Particular attention was directed at the in vivo rodent, alkaline (pH >13) version of the assay. The aim was to review those protocol areas which were unclear or which required more detail in order to produce a standardized protocol with maximum acceptability by international regulatory agencies. The areas covered were: number of dose levels required, cell isolation techniques, measures of cytotoxicity, scoring of comets (i.e., manually or by image analysis), and the need for historical negative/positive control data. It was decided that a single limit dose was not sufficient although the required number of dose levels was not stipulated. The method of isolating cells was thought not to have a qualitative effect on the assay but more data were needed before a conclusion could be drawn. Concurrent measures of cytotoxicity were required with histopathological examination of tissues for necrosis or apoptosis as the "Gold Standard". As for analysing the comets, the consensus was that image analysis was preferred but not required. Finally, the minimal number of studies required to generate a historical positive or negative control database was not defined; rather the emphasis was placed on demonstrating the stability of the negative/positive control data. It was also agreed that a minimum reporting standard would be developed which would be consistent with OECD in vivo genotoxicity test method guidelines.

Genotoxic potential of quinolone antimicrobials in the in vitro comet assay and micronucleus test.

The purpose of this study was to examine the genotoxicity of quinolone antimicrobials. We investigated the genotoxic potential of eight quinolones, namely nalidixic acid (NA), pipemidic acid (PPA), oxolinic acid (OA), piromidic acid (PA), enoxacin (ENX), ofloxacin (OFLX), norfloxacin (NFLX) and ciprofloxacin (CPFX), by the in vitro alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay at pH>13. WTK-1 cells (mutant p53) were treated with each of the eight quinolones at 62.5-1000 microg/mL for 2, 4 and 20 h. NFLX and CPFX significantly induced DNA damage concentration-dependently after 4 and 20 h treatment, but this damage was recoverable. On the other hand, DNA was not damaged in the cells treated with six other quinolones. In the cells treated with NFLX and CPFX for 20 h, DNA migration was compared by the comet assay at pH 10, 12.1 and >13. The comet assay both at pH 12.1 and >13 showed increased DNA migration, but there was no positive response in the comet assay at pH 10. In the in vitro micronucleus (MN) test, WTK-1 cells were treated with each of four quinolones (NA, PPA, NFLX and CPFX) at 15.63-125 microg/mL for 20 h. NFLX significantly increased MNs in the cells, but no changes were noted in the cells treated with three other quinolones. These results suggest that NFLX and CPFX induced DNA single strand breaks (SSBs), and that NFLX-induced SSBs resulted in chromosome aberrations.

A novel genotoxic aspect of thiabendazole as a photomutagen in bacteria and cultured human cells.

Thiabendazole (TBZ) is a post-harvest fungicide commonly used on imported citrus fruits. We recently found that TBZ showed photomutagenicity with UVA-irradiation in the Ames test using plate incorporation method. In the present study, potential of DNA-damaging activity, mutagenicity, and clastogenicity were investigated by short pulse treatment for 10 min with TBZ (50-400 microg/ml) and UVA-irradiation (320-400 nm, 250 microW/cm2) in bacterial and human cells. UVA-irradiated TBZ caused DNA damage in Escherichia coli and human lymphoblastoid WTK1 cells assayed, respectively, by the umu-test and the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. In a modified Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli, strong induction of -1 frameshift mutations as well as base-substitution mutations were detected. TBZ at 50-100 microg/ml with UVA-irradiation significantly induced micronuclei in WTK1 cells in the in vitro cytochalasin-B micronucleus assay. Pulse treatment for 10 min with TBZ alone did not show any genotoxicity. Although TBZ is a spindle poison that induces aneuploidy, we hypothesize that the photogenotoxicity of TBZ in the present study was produced by a different mechanism, probably by DNA adduct formation. We concluded that UVA-activated TBZ is genotoxic in bacterial and human cells in vitro.

Absence of in vivo genotoxicity and liver initiation activity of dicyclanil.

In order to clarify the in vivo genotoxicity of dicyclanil with the potential of hepatocarcinogenicity, the stomach, colon, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, lung, brain and bone marrow of male ddY mice given a single oral administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of dicyclanil were evaluated in an alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. In addition, to investigate its possible initiation activity, partially hepatectomized male F344 rats given a single oral administration of 75 mg/kg body weight of dicyclanil were examined by a short-term liver initiation assay. Three and 24 hr after administration, cell migration, as a marker of DNA damage in comet assay, was not observed in any of the tissues of dicyclanil-treated mice. There were no significant differences in the number and area of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci, as a marker of hepatocellular preneoplastic lesions in rats, between treated and control groups. These results indicate that dicyclanil has neither in vivo genotoxicity nor initiation activity, and suggest that the hepatocarcinogenicity in mice induced by dicyclanil is attributable to a non-genotoxic mechanism.

Detection of in vivo genotoxicity of endogenously formed N-nitroso compounds and suppression by ascorbic acid, teas and fruit juices.

The genotoxicity of endogenously formed N-nitrosamines from secondary amines and sodium nitrite (NaNO(2)) was evaluated in multiple organs of mice, using comet assay. Groups of four male mice were orally given dimethylamine, proline, and morpholine simultaneously with NaNO(2). The stomach, colon, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, lung, brain, and bone marrow were sampled 3 and 24 h after these compounds had been ingested. Although secondary amines and the NaNO(2) tested did not yield DNA damage in any of the organs tested, DNA damage was observed mainly in the liver following simultaneous oral ingestion of these compounds. The administration within a 60 min interval also yielded hepatic DNA damage. It is considered that DNA damage induced in mouse organs with the coexistence of amines and nitrite in the acidic stomach is due to endogenously formed nitrosamines. Ascorbic acid reduced the liver DNA damage induced by morpholine and NaNO(2). Reductions in hepatic genotoxicity of endogenously formed N-nitrosomorpholine by tea polyphenols, such as catechins and theaflavins, and fresh apple, grape, and orange juices were more effective than was by ascorbic acid. In contrast with the antimutagenicity of ascorbic acid in the liver, ascorbic acid yielded stomach DNA damage in the presence of NaNO(2) (in the presence and absence of morpholine). Even if ascorbic acid acts as an antimutagen in the liver, nitric oxide (NO) formed from the reduction of NaNO(2) by ascorbic acid damaged stomach DNA.

Mechanistic study on flumequine hepatocarcinogenicity focusing on DNA damage in mice.

In order to elucidate the tumor-initiating potential of flumequine (FL) in the liver, male C3H mice were given dietary administration of 4000 ppm FL throughout the study or for 2 weeks at the initiation stage, and then received 2 intraperitoneal injections of D-galactosamine (Gal) at weeks 2 and 5, with or without 500 ppm phenobarbital (PB) in their drinking water for 13 weeks to provide tumor-promoting effects. Hepatocellular foci were observed in 2 out of 8 and 6 out of 7 animals in the FL/PB + Gal and FL/FL + Gal groups, respectively. In addition, in an alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay that was performed using adult, infant, or partial hepatectomized male ddY mice to evaluate the potential of FL at 500 mg/kg or less, to act as a DNA damaging agent. FL induced dose-dependent DNA damage in the stomach, colon, and urinary bladder of adult mice at 3 h but not at 24 h after its administration. Similarly, DNA damage was noted in the regenerating liver and the livers of infant mice at the 3 h time point. Furthermore, in in vitro assays that were conducted to investigate the potential of FL to inhibit eukaryotic topoisomerase II, which is responsible for the double-strand DNA breakage reaction as well as bacterial gyrase, inhibitory effects of FL on topoisomerase II were high relative to the influence on bacterial gyrase. The results of our studies thus strongly suggest that FL has initiating potential in the livers of mice that is attributable to its induction of DNA strand breaks.

The comet assay with 8 mouse organs: results with 39 currently used food additives.

We determined the genotoxicity of 39 chemicals currently in use as food additives. They fell into six categories-dyes, color fixatives and preservatives, preservatives, antioxidants, fungicides, and sweeteners. We tested groups of four male ddY mice once orally with each additive at up to 0.5xLD(50) or the limit dose (2000mg/kg) and performed the comet assay on the glandular stomach, colon, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, lung, brain, and bone marrow 3 and 24h after treatment. Of all the additives, dyes were the most genotoxic. Amaranth, Allura Red, New Coccine, Tartrazine, Erythrosine, Phloxine, and Rose Bengal induced dose-related DNA damage in the glandular stomach, colon, and/or urinary bladder. All seven dyes induced DNA damage in the gastrointestinal organs at a low dose (10 or 100mg/kg). Among them, Amaranth, Allura Red, New Coccine, and Tartrazine induced DNA damage in the colon at close to the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). Two antioxidants (butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)), three fungicides (biphenyl, sodium o-phenylphenol, and thiabendazole), and four sweeteners (sodium cyclamate, saccharin, sodium saccharin, and sucralose) also induced DNA damage in gastrointestinal organs. Based on these results, we believe that more extensive assessment of food additives in current use is warranted.

Suppression of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-induced DNA damage in rat colon after grapefruit juice intake.

The influence of grapefruit juice intake on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced colon DNA damage was examined using comet assay in F344 rats given 60 mg/kg of PhIP by gavage. F344 rats allowed free access to grapefruit juice for 5 days experienced clearly reduced DNA damage in the colon to a 40% level of control rats. The suppression of PhIP-induced colon DNA damage depended on the grapefruit juice concentrations. The serum concentration of PhIP was compared between grapefruit juice-pretreated and non-pretreated rats, but showed no significant difference in the areas under their concentration-time curves, peak values and half lives of PhIP. Furthermore, no obvious difference was found in the liver capacity for mutagenic activation of PhIP in Ames assay between grapefruit juice-pretreated and non-pretreated rats. These results suggest that grapefruit juice suppresses PhIP-induced colon DNA damage by a mechanism independent of PhIP absorption in the intestine.

Comparative investigation of multiple organs of mice and rats in the comet assay.

Mice and/or rats are usually used to detect chemical carcinogenicity and it has been known that there are species differences in carcinogenicity. To know whether there are species difference in genotoxicity, we conducted comparative investigation of multiple organs of mice and rats in the comet assay. Since the sensitivity to xenobiotics is different for different species, we queried species difference in the genotoxic sensitivity at one equitoxic level but not at one equidose. Therefore, groups of four mice or rats were treated once intraperitoneally or orally with a chemical at highest dose without death and distinct toxic manifestation. When the death was not observed at 2000 mg/kg of a chemical, 2000 mg/kg was used for the comet study. The stomach, colon, liver, kidney, bladder, lung, brain, and bone marrow were sampled 3, 8, and 24h after treatment. Among chemicals tested, benzyl acetate, chlorodibromomethane and p-chloro-o-toluidine are carcinogenic to mice but not rats, and aniline, azobenzene, o-phenylphenol Na, and D-limonene are carcinogenic to rats but not mice. Although the two species differed in genotoxicity target organs and migration values, the judgement of a positive or negative response was the same for all chemicals studied except for 2,4-dimethoxyaniline, 2,5-diaminotoluene, and p,p'-DDT when chemicals with positive responses in at least one organ are judged to be comet assay-positive. 2,4-Dimethoxyaniline and 2,5-diaminotoluene that are Ames test-positive non-carcinogens in both species were positive in one organ (urinary bladder for 2,4-dimethoxyaniline and stomach for 2,5-diaminotoluene) in rats, but negative in all mouse organs. p,p'-DDT, which is an Ames test-negative but in vitro cytogenetic test-positive hepatic carcinogen in mice and rats, was positive in multiple rat organs, but not in any mouse organ. These results suggest that species differences in genotoxicity at one equitoxic level are not consistent with species difference in carcinogenicity and that the use of both species is appropriate to indicate a carcinogenic potential in the comet assay with multiple organs, when chemicals being positive in at least one organ are judged to be comet assay-positive.