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Effects of benzyl isothiocyanate and phenethyl isothiocyanate on DNA adduct formation by a mixture of benzo[a]pyrene and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in A/J mouse lung.

Dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and a mixture of dietary PEITC and benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) inhibit lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice induced by a mixture of the tobacco smoke carcinogens benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of tumorigenesis by these isothiocyanates was due to inhibition of DNA adduct formation. We quantified the following pulmonary DNA adducts: N2-[7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene-10-yl]deoxyguanosine (BPDE-N2-dG) from B[a]P; and O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)-mG) and 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB)-releasing adducts from NNK. Initial experiments demonstrated that there were no effects of B[a]P on NNK-DNA adduct formation, or vice versa, and established by way of a time course study the appropriate sacrifice intervals for the main experiment. Dietary PEITC, or dietary BITC plus PEITC, inhibited the formation of HPB-releasing DNA adducts of NNK at several of the time points examined. There were no effects of dietary isothiocyanates on levels of O(6)-mG or BPDE-N2-dG. These results, which are consistent with previous studies in rats and with tumor inhibition data in mice, support a role for inhibition of HPB-releasing DNA adducts of NNK as a mechanism of inhibition of tumorigenesis by dietary PEITC and BITC plus PEITC. However, the observed inhibition was modest, suggesting that other effects of isothiocyanates are also involved in chemoprevention in this model.

Animals↗

Effects of benzyl isothiocyanate and 2-phenethyl isothiocyanate on benzo[a]pyrene and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone metabolism in F-344 rats.

A mixture of dietary benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and 2-phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) inhibits lung tumorigenesis by a mixture of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in A/J mice. Previous studies indicated that inhibition of 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB) releasing DNA adducts of NNK by PEITC in the lung was responsible for inhibition of tumorigenicity. We have now extended these investigations to F-344 rats treated with 2 p.p.m. B[a]P in the diet and 2 p.p.m. NNK in the drinking water. The effects of BITC (1 micromol/g diet), PEITC (3 micromol/g diet), and a mixture of BITC plus PEITC (1 and 3 micromol/g diet) on DNA and hemoglobin (Hb) adducts of B[a]P and NNK, and on two urinary metabolites of NNK, were examined. DNA adducts were quantified after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment. Hb adducts were quantified in blood samples withdrawn every 2 weeks. 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and its glucuronide NNAL-Gluc were measured in urine every 4 weeks. PEITC or BITC plus PEITC significantly reduced levels of HPB releasing DNA adducts of NNK in lung at 8 and 16 weeks, but there was no effect of BITC. There were no effects of any of the treatments on levels of HPB releasing DNA adducts of NNK in liver, or on DNA adducts of B[a]P in either lung or liver. PEITC or BITC plus PEITC significantly inhibited the formation of Hb adducts of NNK from 2-12 weeks of treatment while there were no effects on Hb adducts of B[a]P. There was a significant increase in levels of NNAL and NNAL-Gluc in the urine of the rats treated with PEITC or BITC plus PEITC. These results demonstrate that dietary PEITC, or a mixture of BITC plus PEITC, inhibit the formation of HPB releasing adducts of NNK in the rodent lung, leading to inhibition of tumorigenesis.

Animals↗

Comparative mutagenicity of 4-(carbethoxynitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)butanal and 4-(carbethoxynitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, model compounds for alpha-hydroxylation of N'-nitrosonornicotine.

4-(Carbethoxynitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)butanal, a stable precursor to the putative diazohydroxide formed by 5'-hydroxylation of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine, N'-nitrosonornicotine, was synthesized in six steps from nicotinaldehyde. Its mutagenicity toward S. typhimurium was compared to that of 4-(carbethoxynitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, a precursor to the diazohydroxide formed by 2'-hydroxylation of N'-nitrosonornicotine. At equimolar doses, 4-(carbethoxynitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone was a potent mutagen, but 4-(carbethoxynitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)butanal was inactive toward strains TA 100 and TA 1535. The results of this study indicate that the putative diazohydroxide formed by 2'-hydroxylation of N'-nitrosonornicotine has higher inherent mutagenicity toward S. typhimurium than does the corresponding diazohydroxide formed by 5'-hydroxylation.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Evidence for 4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobutylation of DNA in F344 rats treated with the tobacco-specific nitrosamines 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and N'-nitrosonornicotine.

DNA was isolated from tissues of F344 rats 24 h after treatment by s.c. injection with [5-3H]4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone ([5-3H]NNK) or [5-3H]N'-nitrosonornicotine ([5-3H]NNN). It was hydrolyzed with acid or at pH 7, 100 degrees C, and the hydrolysates were analyzed by HPLC. The major product in each case was identified as 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, formed by hydrolysis of a DNA adduct. It was detected in DNA from the livers of rats treated with [5-3H]NNK or [5-3H]NNN, and in DNA from lungs of rats treated with [5-3H]NNK. These results demonstrate that 4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobutylation of DNA occurs in rats treated with NNK or NNN, and are consistent with the hypothesis that these nitrosamines are metabolically activated by alpha-hydroxylation.

Animals↗

Metal sites in 3,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone 4-phosphate synthase from Methanococcus jannaschii in complex with the substrate ribulose 5-phosphate.

The crystal structure of Methanococcus jannaschii 3,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone 4-phosphate synthase in complex with the substrate ribulose 5-phosphate at a dimetal centre has recently been determined at 1.7 A resolution. The enzyme converts ribulose 5-phosphate into 3,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone 4-phosphate, while its C4 atom is released as formate. The resulting four-carbon body supplies all eight C atoms for the xylene moiety of riboflavin. Three of the four hydroxyl groups of ribulose 5-phosphate were coordinated by the metal ions. Based on crystallographic refinement, the metals were assigned as zinc and calcium, which were present in the crystallization buffer. Neither metal supports the enzymatic reaction. In the present study, the correctness of this assignment is assessed using anomalous diffraction data collected at the high-energy side of the zinc absorption edge (lambda = 1.2823 A). Only the three tentative zinc ions give strong peaks in an anomalous difference Fourier map (>20sigma), whereas the four tentative calcium ions do not show anomalous signals above the noise level. These results confirm the initial assignment. In addition, the resolution was improved to 1.55 A.

Binding Sites↗

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, a component of tobacco smoke, modulates mediator release from human bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells.

Respiratory epithelial cells are known to contribute to immune responses through the release of mediators. The aim of this study was to characterize the immunomodulatory effects of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a tobacco carcinogen, on respiratory epithelial cells and to compare two metabolic pathways, alpha-methylhydroxylation and alpha-methylenehydroxylation, involved in these effects using selective precursors, 4-(acetoxy-methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridil)-1-butanone (NNKOAc) and N-nitroso (acetoxymethyl) methylamine (NDMAOAc), respectively. Human bronchial and alveolar epithelial cell lines, BEAS-2B and A549, respectively, were treated with NNK, NNKOAc and NDMAOAc for 24 h with and without tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and mediators released in cell-free supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NNK significantly inhibited interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production in both cell types. Similar results were observed with primary bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. Although NNK increased prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production by A549 cells, its immunomodulatory effects were not mediated by PGE(2) according to the results with cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. NNKOAc mimicked NNK effects, whereas NDMAOAc significantly inhibited IL-8 production in BEAS-2B cells and MCP-1 in both cell types. These results demonstrate that NNK and its reactive metabolites have immunosuppressive effects on respiratory epithelial cells, which could contribute to the increased respiratory infections observed in smokers and the development and/or the progression of lung cancer.

Bronchi↗

Biotransformation of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in peripheral human lung microsomes.

The contributions of different enzymes to 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) biotransformation were assessed in human lung microsomes prepared from peripheral lung specimens obtained from seven subjects. Metabolite formation was expressed as a percentage of total recovered radioactivity from [5-3H]NNK and its metabolites per milligram of protein per minute. 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol was the major metabolite formed in the presence of an NADPH-generating system, with production ranging from 0.5186 to 1.268%/mg of protein/min, and total NNK bioactivation (represented by the sum of the four alpha-carbon hydroxylation endpoint metabolites) ranged from 0.002100 to 0.005685% alpha-hydroxylation/mg of protein/min. Overall, production of bioactivation metabolites was greater than that of detoxication (i.e., N-oxidation) products. Based on total bioactivation, subjects could be classified as high or low NNK bioactivators. In the presence of an NADPH-generating system, microsomal formation of the endpoint metabolite 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-4-carboxylic acid (keto acid) was consistently higher than that of all other alpha-carbon hydroxylation endpoint metabolites. Contributions of cytochrome p450 (p450) enzymes to NNK oxidation were demonstrated by NADPH dependence, inhibition by carbon monoxide, and inhibition by the nonselective p450 inhibitors proadifen hydrochloride (SKF-525A) and 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT), particularly in lung microsomes from high bioactivators. At 5.0 mM, ABT inhibited total NNK bioactivation by 54 to 100%, demonstrating the importance of ABT-sensitive enzyme(s) in human pulmonary NNK bioactivation. Contributions of CYP2A6 and/or CYP2A13, as well as CYP2B6, to NNK bioactivation were also suggested by selective chemical and antibody inhibition in lung microsomes from some subjects. It is likely that multiple p450 enzymes contribute to human pulmonary microsomal NNK bioactivation, and that these contributions vary between individuals.

Aged↗

Correlation between UDP-glucuronosyltransferase genotypes and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone glucuronidation phenotype in human liver microsomes.

The nicotine-derived tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, is one of the most potent and abundant procarcinogens found in tobacco and tobacco smoke, and glucuronidation of its major metabolite, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), is an important mechanism for 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone detoxification. Substantial interindividual variability in urinary NNAL glucuronide formation has been observed in smokers and tobacco chewers. To determine whether genetic variations may play a role in this interindividual variability, NNAL-glucuronidating activities were analyzed in 78 human liver microsomal specimens and compared with the prevalence of missense polymorphisms in the two major NNAL-glucuronidating enzymes UGT1A4 and UGT2B7. In vitro assays using liver microsomal specimens from individual subjects demonstrated a 70- and 50-fold variability in NNAL-N-Gluc and NNAL-O-Gluc formation, respectively, and a 20-fold variability in the ratio of NNAL-N-Gluc:NNAL-O-Gluc formation. Microsomes from subjects with a homozygous polymorphic UGT1A4(24Thr)/UGT1A4(24Thr) genotype exhibited a significantly higher (P < 0.05) level of NNAL-N-Gluc activity compared with microsomes from subjects with the wild-type UGT1A4(24Pro)/UGT1A4(24Pro) genotype, and a significantly higher (P < 0.05) number of subjects with liver microsomes having high NNAL-N-Gluc formation activity contained the UGT1A4(24Thr)/UGT1A4(24Thr) genotype. Microsomes from subjects with the homozygous polymorphic UGT2B7(268Tyr)/UGT2B7(268Tyr) genotype exhibited a significantly lower level (P < 0.025) of NNAL-O-Gluc activity when compared with microsomes from subjects with the wild-type UGT2B7(268His)/UGT2B7(268His) genotype, and a significantly (P < 0.05) higher number of subjects with liver microsomes having low NNAL-O-Gluc formation activity contained the UGT2B7(268Tyr)/UGT2B7(268Tyr) genotype. These data suggest that the UGT1A4 codon 24 and UGT2B7 codon 268 polymorphisms may be associated with altered rates glucuronidation and detoxification of NNAL in vivo.

Codon↗

Evidence that a hemoglobin adduct used for dosimetry of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone is a carboxylic ester.

Hemoglobin adducts of the carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) release 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB) upon mild base or acid hydrolysis. HPB has been detected in hydrolysates of hemoglobin from smokers and snuff dippers and has been proposed as a dosimeter of exposure to and metabolic activation of NNK in people exposed to tobacco products. In this study, labeling experiments were carried out with [18O]NaOH that provide strong evidence that the globin adduct that releases HPB upon hydrolysis is a carboxylic ester. Globin was isolated from rats treated with [5-3H]NNK. This globin was reacted with NaCNBH3, followed by hydrolysis at room temperature with 0.2 N NaOH. Analysis of the products demonstrated the presence of 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol, but not HPB. These results demonstrate that the adduct in globin has a free carbonyl group and is not a Schiff base. This sequence of reactions was then carried out with [18O]NaOH under conditions that were shown to result in incorporation of 18O if nucleophilic displacement at C-4 had occurred. Analysis by GC-MS of the 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol formed in this experiment demonstrated that there was no incorporation of 18O. These results are consistent only with the hydrolysis of an ester by a BAC2 mechanism. Therefore, the adduct releasing HPB upon mild base hydrolysis must be a 4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobutyl ester of aspartate, glutamate, or a terminal carboxylate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Quantification of 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone released from human haemoglobin as a dosimeter for exposure to tobacco-specific nitrosamines.

A method was developed to quantify globin adducts of the tobacco-specific nitrosamines 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN). Globin adducts of NNK and NNN release 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB) after mild treatment with a base. HPB was analysed as its pentafluorobenzoate by capillary column gas chromatography with detection by negative-ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry and selected-ion monitoring. The detection limit for HPB-pentafluorobenzoate was approximately 1 fmol/injection. The method was applied to haemoglobin from snuff dippers, smokers and nonsmokers. Adduct levels were highest in snuff dippers (517 +/- 538 fmol HPB per gram haemoglobin), followed by smokers (79 +/- 189 fmol HPB per gram haemoglobin) and nonsmokers (29.3 +/- 25.9 fmol HPB per gram haemoglobin). The method will be useful in assessing the role of tobacco-specific nitrosamines as causes of cancer in smokers and snuff dippers.

Environmental Monitoring↗

O6-methylguanine is a critical determinant of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone tumorigenesis in A/J mouse lung.

The relative importance of the two alpha-hydroxylation pathways in the tumorigenicity of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), was examined in the A/J mouse lung. Methyl hydroxylation, which results in DNA pyridyloxobutylation, was investigated with 4-(acetoxymethylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNKOAc) and N'-nitrosonornicotine. Methylene hydroxylation, which leads to DNA methylation, was studied by using acetoxymethyl-methylnitrosamine (AMMN). The tumorigenic activities of these compounds were compared to that of 10 mumol NNK at doses that yielded similar or greater adduct levels 24 h after exposure. The methylating agent AMMN was more tumorigenic than the pyridyloxobutylating agents, NNKOAc and N'-nitrosonornicotine. NNKOAc enhanced the tumorigenic activity of AMMN when the two compounds were given in combination. These results suggested that DNA methylation was more important than DNA pyridyloxobutylation in A/J mouse lung tumor induction by NNK and that pyridyloxobutylation enhanced the activity of the methylation pathway. However, the tumorigenicity of 10 mumol NNK could not be reproduced by AMMN +/- NNKOAc at doses that yielded similar levels of DNA adducts 24 h after exposure. Therefore, a second study was conducted in which the persistence of O6-methylguanine in lung DNA following various doses of NNK or AMMN +/- NNKOAc was compared to the tumorigenicity of these treatments. A strong correlation was observed between lung tumor yield and levels of O6-methylguanine at 96 h for NNK and AMMN +/- NNKOAc (r = 0.98). The ability of NNKOAc to increase the tumorigenic activity of AMMN was attributed to its ability to enhance the persistence of O6-methylguanine in lung DNA. These results demonstrate that the formation and persistence of O6-methylguanine are critical events in the initiation of A/J mouse lung tumors by NNK. They also suggest that DNA pyridyloxobutylation by NNK can increase the persistence of this promutagenic base in lung DNA.

Animals↗

Metabolism of the tobacco specific nitrosamines, N'-nitrosonornicotine and 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone.

The metabolism, in the F-344 rat, of the tobacco-specific carcinogens, N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) was studied. NNN was hydroxylated at each position of the pyrrolidine ring; 2'-hydroxylation gave 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in vitro and the corresponding acid in vivo, 3'-hydroxylation gave 3'-hydroxyNNN, 4'-hydroxylation gave 4'-hydroxy-NNN and 5'-hydroxylation gave 4-hydroxy-4-(3-pyridyl)butanal (in vitro) and 4-hydroxy-4-(3-pyridyl) butanoic acid (in vivo). The principle ring hydroxylation in the untreated F-344 rat was 5'-hydroxylation. Pyridine N-oxidation was also observed, giving NNN-1-N-oxide as a major metabolite. The principle urinary metabolites of NNN were formed by 5'-hydroxylation and pyridine-N-oxidation. For NNK, a major process was reduction of the carbonyl to give 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol. alpha-Hydroxylation of both the N-methyl and N-methylene groups was also observed, as was formation of NNK-N-oxide in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

32P-postlabelling analysis of DNA-adducts formed by 4-(N-carbethoxy-N-nitrosamino)-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)- butanal.

The tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)- 1-butanone (NNK) can be activated to DNA-binding species by two pathways: methylene hydroxylation leads to an equimolar formation of methyldiazohydroxide and 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)-butanal followed by DNA methylation, while methyl hydroxylation leads to DNA pyridyloxobutylation via the 4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobutyldiazohydroxide (Hecht et al., 1988; Spratt et al., 1989). We report here that the ketoaldehyde, 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)-butanal, as well as 4-(N-carbethoxy-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3- pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNC), a model compound for pyridyloxobutylation, form DNA adducts in vitro, as detected by 32P-postlabelling assays. The two major adduct spots of both compounds were chromatographically indistinguishable, suggesting structurally similar DNA adducts.

Animals↗

Two types of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone hemoglobin adducts, from metabolites which migrate into or are formed in red blood cells.

The tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1- butanone (NNK), is considered to play an important role in the induction of lung cancer in tobacco users. In rats treated with [5-3H]NNK, 20 to 40% of the tritium bound to hemoglobin (Hb) is released by base hydrolysis as 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB). This HPB-releasing adduct has been quantified in tobacco users and is considered a biochemical marker for uptake and activation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines. In this paper we report the formation of this adduct in red blood cells (RBC) cultured for 2 h with hepatocytes and 5 microM NNK (6.35 +/- 0.21 fmol HPB/mg Hb). The HPB-releasing adduct was not formed in RBC in the absence of hepatocytes (< 0.5 fmol/mg Hb). Therefore, the HPB-releasing adduct must form from a pyridyloxobutylating metabolite of NNK which traveled out of the hepatocytes and into RBC where it reacted with Hb. Other distinct Hb adducts were formed when NNK was incubated with RBC alone. 4-Oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyric acid was detected by radio flow high-performance liquid chromatography in the media of these incubations. The Hb isolated from RBC incubated with [C3H3]NNK contained as much as 10 times more covalently bound tritium than the Hb from [5-3H]NNK-treated cells. [C3H3]-1-Methylhistidine and [C3H3]-S- methyl-cysteine were formed when [C3H3]NNK was incubated with the 25,000 x g supernatant from RBC. This supernatant contains 50 mg Hb/ml. We propose that Hb mediates alpha hydroxylation of NNK at the methylene carbon. The alpha-hydroxynitrosamine formed decomposes to methanediazohydroxide and 4-oxo-1-(3-pyridyl)butanal. The former would methylate nucleophilic sites in Hb, i.e., cysteine and histidine. The latter would bind to Hb or be further oxidized to 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyric acid. The ability of the RBC to activate NNK to Hb-binding species stresses the importance of understanding how a particular adduct is formed prior to its use as a biochemical marker or internal dose monitor.

Animals↗

Chemopreventive effects of myo-inositol and dexamethasone on benzo[a]pyrene and 4-(methylnitrosoamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced pulmonary carcinogenesis in female A/J mice.

The objective of the present investigation was to prevent cancer of the lung by use of chemopreventive agents. Administrations of diets containing added myo-inositol or dexamethasone singly or in combination (the latter being the most potent) are being studied for this purpose. In previous work, the two compounds were shown to inhibit benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced pulmonary adenoma formation in female A/J mice when fed during the postinitiation period [ie., starting 1 week after the last of three administrations of B(a)P by oral intubation]. In the present investigation, a longer administration schedule was used, which encompasses both the initiation and the postinitiation stages of carcinogenesis. The feeding of the test compounds was started 2 weeks prior to the first dose of carcinogen and continued for the duration of the experiment. Under these conditions, reductions in tumor formation were: myo-inositol, 64%; dexamethasone, 56%; and both together, 86% (P < 0.001 for all three). Addition of both compounds resulted in the largest inhibition that has been achieved with this experimental model as used in these investigations. Studies have begun of inhibition of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced pulmonary adenoma formation by myo-inositol and dexamethasone. The two compounds inhibit pulmonary carcinogenesis when fed singly or in combination. When fed throughout the entire protocol, reductions in tumor formation were: myo-inositol, 46%; dexamethasone, 41%; and both together, 71% (P < 0.001 for all three). The results of these investigations demonstrate that myo-inositol and dexamethasone inhibit pulmonary adenoma formation resulting from exposures to two major pulmonary carcinogens, B(a)P and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone.

Adenoma↗

A metabolite of the tobacco-specific lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in the urine of hospital workers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

We analyzed the urine of nonsmoking hospital workers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke for [4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)but-1-yl]-beta-O-D-glucosiduronic acid (NNAL-Gluc), a metabolite of the tobacco-specific lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. Samples were collected three times on a single day from nine workers. Quantitative analysis was carried out by combined gas chromatography-nitrosamine-selective detection. The identity of NNAL-Gluc was confirmed by combined gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated the presence of NNAL-Gluc in the urine of the exposed subjects. The mean level of NNAL-Gluc +/- SD was 0.059 +/- 0.028 pmol/ml urine (23 pg/ml urine); range, 0.005-0.11 pmol/ml urine. Levels of NNAL-Gluc per milliliter of urine correlated with those of cotinine (r = 0.51; P = 0.029). These results demonstrate for the first time that NNAL-Gluc, a metabolite of the lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, is present in the urine of nonsmokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke under field conditions.

Adult↗

3-Hydroxy-2-butanone and the first encounter fight in the male lobster cockroach, Nauphoeta cinerea.

Although agonistic behavior in the male lobster cockroach, Nauphoeta cinerea, has been known for more than 40 years, this is the first study to directly collect and quantify the emitted pheromones. In the present study, emitted volatile pheromones were collected from each male pair for 60 min during the first encounter fight and identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major compound collected was 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (3H-2B). The strength of the attack by the dominant male was classified into three categories from weakest (C) to strongest (A). Of the 92 pairs, eight (8.7%) showed no agonistic interactions, and the amount of 3H-2B collected was 121.8+/-37.7 ng/male pair. In the five pairs (5.4%) displaying attack strength C, the amount of 3H-2B collected was 689.6+/-273.7 ng/male pair, and the attack duration was 9.6+/-2.4 min. In the 53 pairs (57.6%) showing attack strength B, the corresponding values were 5396.2+/-449.0 ng/male pair and 22.7+/-1.6 min, while those for the 26 pairs (28.3%) showing attack strength A were 7910.4+/-1120.6 ng/male pair and 24.9+/-2.9 min. For both attack strengths A and B, a linear relationship was found between the amount of 3H-2B collected and attack duration, suggesting that the longer the duration of the attack, the more 3H-2B was emitted. In addition, the rate of 3H-2B emission for attack strength A was significantly higher than that for attack strength B. Using Vaseline-coating, we demonstrated that, in the first encounter fight, the 3H-2B was emitted by the dominant male.

Acetoin↗

Modifications in rat hepatobiliary function following treatment with acetone, 2-butanone, 2-hexanone, mirex, or chlordecone and subsequently exposed to chloroform.

Potentiation of haloalkane hepatonecrosis by various ketones is a well-documented observation. The present study investigates the hepatobiliary effects of such treatments. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with acetone (A), 2-butanone (MEK), 2-hexanone (MBK), 15 mmol/kg (po), or chlordecone (CD) and its nonketonic analog, mirex (M), 50 mg/kg (po). Following the pretreatment at various time intervals ranging from 10 to 96 hr, groups of animals received a challenging dosage of CHCl3 (0.5 ml/kg, po). In a collateral experiment, groups of animals were pretreated with vehicle and 18 hr later received either 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00 ml/kg CHCl3 (po). In each case hepatobiliary function was evaluated 24 hr later using bile flow rate and plasma bilirubin concentration. The results showed (1) that the ketones alone had no effect; mirex alone increased bile flow; (2) CHCl3 alone had no effect on bile flow but slightly increased plasma bilirubin; (3) all pretreatments potentiated the effect of CHCl3 on plasma bilirubin; (4) combinations of A, MBK, or CD plus CHCl3 were cholestatic within a restricted time frame. A study of biliary tree permeability by the segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection technique, using mannitol and inulin as marker compounds, suggested that cholestasis may result from potentiation of CHCl3-induced alterations in canalicular membrane permeability.

Acetone↗