Electrophilicity as a possible descriptor for toxicity prediction

Electrophilicity is one of the cardinal chemical reactivity descriptors successfully employed in various molecular reactivity studies within a structure-activity relationship parlance. The applications of this quantity in the modeling of toxicological properties have inspired us to perform a more exhaustive study in order to test and/or to validate the application of electrophilicity in assessing its chemical and toxicological potential. For this reason the toxicity of a large data set of molecules comprising 252 aliphatic compounds on the Tetrahymena pyriformis is studied. A quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis enabled us to model toxicity in terms of global and local electrophilicities, which provide a reasonably good prediction of aliphatic toxicity. It is heartening to note that the global and local electrophilicity values together can explain the toxicity of a large variety of aliphatic compounds nicely without resorting to any other descriptor or other microscopic/macroscopic physicochemical properties as is the situation in all other QSAR studies.

Predicting genotoxicity of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines using electrotopological state indices

A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model relating electrotopological state (E-state) indices and mutagenic potency was previously described by Cash [Mutat. Res. 491 (2001) 31-37] using a data set of 95 aromatic amines published by Debnath et al. [Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 19 (1992) 37-52]. Mutagenic potency was expressed as the number of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 revertants per nmol (LogR). Earlier work on the development of QSARs for the prediction of genotoxicity indicated that numerous methods could be effectively employed to model the same aromatic amines data set, namely, Debnath et al.; Maran et al. [Quant. Struct.-Act. Relat. 18 (1999) 3-10]; Basak et al. [J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci. 41 (2001) 671-678]; Gramatica et al. [SAR QSAR Environ. Res. 14 (2003) 237-250]. However, results obtained from external validations of those models revealed that the effective predictivity of the QSARs was well below the potential indicated by internal validation statistics (Debnath et al., Gramatica et al.). The purpose of the current research is to externally validate the model published by Cash using a data set of 29 aromatic amines reported by Glende et al. [Mutat. Res. 498 (2001) 19-37; Mutat. Res. 515 (2002) 15-38] and to further explore the potential utility of using E-state sums for the prediction of mutagenic potency of aromatic amines.

Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed activation of carcinogenic aromatic and heterocyclic amines

Lactoperoxidase, an enzyme secreted from the human mammary gland, plays a host defensive role through antimicrobial activity. It has been implicated in mutagenic and carcinogenic activation in the human mammary gland. The potential role of heterocyclic and aromatic amines in the etiology of breast cancer led us to examination of the lactoperoxidase-catalyzed activation of the most commonly studied arylamine carcinogens: 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP), benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx). In vitro activation was performed with lactoperoxidase (partially purified from bovine milk or human milk) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and calf thymus DNA. Products formed during enzymatic activation were monitored by HPLC with ultraviolet and radiometric detection. Two of these products were characterized as hydrazo and azo derivatives by means of mass spectrometry. The DNA binding level of 3H- and 14C-radiolabeled amines after peroxidase-catalyzed activation was dependent on the hydrogen peroxide concentration, and the highest levels of carcinogen binding to DNA were observed at 100 microM H2O2. Carcinogen activation and the level of binding to DNA were in the order of benzidine > ABP > IQ > MeIQx > PhIP. One of the ABP adducts was identified, and the level at which it is formed was estimated to be six adducts/10(5) nucleotides. The susceptibility of aromatic and heterocyclic amines for lactoperoxidase-catalyzed activation and the binding levels of activated products to DNA suggest a potential role of lactoperoxidase-catalyzed activation of carcinogens in the etiology of breast cancer.

Cytochrome P450 activation of arylamines and heterocyclic amines

Arylamines and heterocyclic arylamines (HAAs) are of particular interest because of demonstrated carcinogenicity in animals and humans and the broad exposure to many of these compounds. The activation of these, and also some arylamine drugs, involves N-hydroxylation, usually by cytochrome P450 (P450). P450 1A2 plays a prominent role in these reactions. However, P450 1A1 and 1B1 and other P450s are also important in humans as well as experimental animals. Some arylamines (including drugs) are N-hydroxylated predominantly by P450s other than those in Family 1. Other oxygenases can also have roles. An important issue is extrapolation between species in predicting cancer risks, as shown by the low rates of HAA activation by rat P450 1A2 and low levels of P450 1A2 expression in some nonhuman primates.

Escherichia coli BTC, a human cytochrome P450 competent tester strain with a high sensitivity towards alkylating agents: involvement of alkyltransferases in the repair of DNA damage induced by aromatic amines

We report here on strain BTC, a new Escherichia coli mutagenicity tester strain for the expression of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) with an enhanced sensitivity for the detection of alkylating agents. This strain was developed first through knocking out of the genes ada and ogt in our previously developed strain BMX100, resulting in PD1000. Strain PD1000 demonstrated a significantly higher detection sensitivity towards several alkylating agents such as N-nitrosodiethylamine (NNdEA), N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine (NNdPA), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Unexpectedly, this strain also showed an enhanced sensitivity towards 2-aminoanthracene (2AA), 4-aminobiphenyl (4AbPh), 2-aminofluorene (2AF) and 2-nitroanthracene (2NA) mutagenicity. Subsequently, our previously developed bi-plasmid system for the co-expression of a specific human CYP form (CYP1A2, 2A6 or 2E1) with human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (RED) was introduced in strain PD1000, resulting in strains BTC1A2, BTC2A6 and BTC2E1, respectively. The mutagenicity of NNdEA and NNK was successfully detected with strains BTC2A6 and BTC2E1 and with strains BTC1A2 and BTC2A6, respectively, in contrast to the corresponding MTC (ada+ ogt+) CYP strains. The (ada- ogt-) deficient strain BTC1A2 also showed an enhanced sensitivity towards the detection of 2AA mutagenicity, when compared with the proficient repair strain MTC1A2. This enhancement was much more pronounced with strain PD1000 using the rat liver S9 fraction than with strain BTC1A2.

Genotoxicity of heat-processed foods

Gene-environment interactions include exposure to genotoxic compounds from our diet and it is no doubt, that humans are regularly exposed to e.g. food toxicants, not least from cooked foods. This paper reviews briefly four classes of cooked food toxicants, e.g. acrylamide, heterocyclic amines, nitrosamines and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Many of these compounds have been recognised for decades also as environmental pollutants. In addition cigarette smokers and some occupational workers are exposed to them. Their occurrence, formation, metabolic activation, genotoxicity and human cancer risk are briefly presented along with figures on estimated exposure. Several lines of evidence indicate that cooking conditions and dietary habits can contribute to human cancer risk through the ingestion of genotoxic compounds from heat-processed foods. Such compounds cause different types of DNA damage: nucleotide alterations and gross chromosomal aberrations. Most genotoxic compounds begin their action at the DNA level by forming carcinogen-DNA adducts, which result from the covalent binding of a carcinogen or part of a carcinogen to a nucleotide. The genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of these cooked food toxicants have been evaluated regularly by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which has come to the conclusion that several of these food-borne toxicants present in cooked foods are possibly (2A) or probably (2B) carcinogenic to humans, based on both high-dose, long-term animal studies and in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity tests. Yet, there is insufficient scientific evidence that these genotoxic compounds really cause human cancer, and no limits have been set for their presence in cooked foods. However, the competent authorities in most Western countries recommend minimising their occurrence, therefore this aspect is also included in this review.

Antimicrobial activity of saturated fatty acids and fatty amines against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activities of saturated fatty acids and fatty amines against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The antimicrobial activity of saturated fatty acids and fatty amines was determined by oxygen meters with multi-channels and disposable oxygen electrode sensors (DOX-96). Lauric acid, the most effective among the saturated fatty acids, showed antimicrobial activity at 400 microg/ml against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and MRSA. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fatty amines depended on each hydrophobic chain length. The MIC of myristylamine was 1.56 microg/ml; most effective of the fatty amines. In time-kill curves, lauric acid and myristylamine produced a bactericidal effect and a bacteriostatic effect at 4-fold the MIC, respectively. The antimicrobial activities of lauric acid and myristylamine were decreased by human plasma. Cytotoxicity of 3 saturated fatty acids and 3 fatty amines was examined in cultured endothelial cells. Although cytotoxicity of fatty amines was severer than that of saturated fatty acids, myristylamine showed the highest value of apparent therapeutic index among them. DOX-96 was useful for screening antimicrobial substances, especially in the case of insoluble substances. We found that myristylamine showed anti-MRSA activity comparable to that of vancomycin and teicoplanin.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of mixed imine-amine pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimers with efficient DNA binding affinity and potent cytotoxicity

Synthesis of mixed imine-amine pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimers that are comprised of DC-81 and secondary amine (N10) of DC-81 subunits tethered to their C8 positions through alkanedioxy linkers (comprised of three and five carbons) is described. These noncross-linking unsymmetrical molecules exhibit significant DNA minor groove binding ability and one of them 5b linked through the pentanedioxy chain exhibits efficient DNA binding ability (DeltaTm=11.0 degrees C) when compared to naturally occurring DC-81, 1 (DeltaTm=0.7 degrees C). The imine-amine PBD dimers exhibit promising in vitro antitumor activity in a number of human cancer cell lines.

Biologically active substances from amphibians: preliminary studies on anurans from twenty-one genera of Thailand

Amphibian skin has been the source of a wide variety of biologically active substances, but less than one-third of the known genera of amphibians have been probed for such active substances. Skins of 21 genera of anurans from Thailand have now been investigated for noxious secretions, toxic substances, and alkaloids. Four genera of bufonid toads (Bufo, Ansonia, Leptophryne, Pedostipes) were toxic due to the presence of bufadienolides or bufadienolide-like compounds. Two species of ranid frogs (Rana raniceps, Rana signata) were toxic, perhaps due to the presence of toxic peptide(s). Two species of rhacophorid frogs (Polypedates) were slightly noxious/toxic. One species of microhylid frog (Kaloula pulchra) was noxious. Trace amounts of pumiliotoxin alkaloids were detected in a ranid frog (Limnonectes kuhli). A further 18 species did not exhibit noxious or toxic properties to a significant extent.

Peroxidase-Like Catalytic Activity of Anion-Exchange Resins Modified with Metal-Porphyrins in Oxidative Reaction of Hetrocyclic Amines with Hydrogen Peroxide

To elucidate the peroxidase (POD)-like catalytic activity of anion-exchange resins modified with metal-tetrakis(sulfophenyl)porphine (M-TSPP(r)s), an oxidative reaction of seven mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) with hydrogen peroxide, which reaction is catalyzed by horse radish POD, was investigated in the presence of M-TSPP(r)s. Among six M-TSPP(r)s tested, Mn- and Fe-TSPP(r)s were found to have a relatively strong POD-like activity for HCAs, in particular for a typical HCA, 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). The optimal condition for the POD-like activity was selected using Fe- and Mn-TSPP(r)s. For evaluation of an oxidation product of IQ produced in the presence of Fe-TSPP(r), the absorption, NMR and FAB-mass spectra thereof were compared with those of an oxidation product of IQ produced by horse radish POD or a chemical oxidizing agent, sodium hypochlorite. When Fe-TSPP(r) was present as a catalysts, IQ was converted into the dimmer (hydorazone type) which has no mutagenic activity in umu-test. It was revealed that Fe- and Mn-TSPP(r)s exhibit a POD-like catalytic activity in oxidative reaction of HCAs with hydrogen peroxide.

In vitro study of some medicinally important Mannich bases derived from antitubercular agent

Biologically active Mannich bases with heteroaromatic ring system have been synthesised employing Mannich reaction of isonicotinyl hydrazide with various sulphonamides/secondary amines. They were analysed by elemental analysis and characterized by uv, ir, 1H nmr spectroscopic studies. The Mannich bases were screened for their antibacterial activity against various gram positive and gram negative bacteria and were analyzed statistically. The results have shown that the compounds are quiet active against pathogens under study and were nontoxic.

Analysis of the involvement of human N-acetyltransferase 1 in the genotoxic activation of bladder carcinogenic arylamines using a SOS/umu assay system

Human acetyltransferase genes NAT1 or NAT2 were expressed in a Salmonella typhimurium strain used to detect the genotoxicity of bladder carcinogens. To clarify whether the human and rodent bladder carcinogenic arylamines are activated via either NAT1 or NAT2 to cause genotoxicity, a SOS/umu genotoxicity assay was used, with the strains S. typhimurium NM6001 (NAT1-overexpressing strain), S. typhimurium NM6002 (NAT2-overexpressing strain), and S. typhimurium NM6000 (O-AT-deficient parent strain). Genotoxicity was measured by induction of SOS/umuC gene expression in the system, which contained both an umuC"lacZ fusion gene and NAT1 or NAT2 plasmids. 4-Aminobiphenyl, 2-acetylaminofluorene, beta-naphthylamine, o-tolidine, o-anisidine, and benzidine exhibited dose-dependent induction of the umuC gene in strain NM6001. Although the induction of umuC by these chemicals was observed in the NM6002 strain, the induction was considerably lower than in the NM6001 strain. In the parent strain, NM6000, none of these compounds induced umuC gene expression. We also determined activation of these chemicals by recombinant human cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) 1A2 enzyme in three S. typhimurium tester strains. The activation of the chemicals was stronger in the NM6001 strain than that in NM6002. The specific NAT1 inhibitor 5-iodosalicylic acid inhibited umuC gene expression induced by aromatic amines used. These results could provide evidence that the bladder carcinogenic aromatic amines are mainly activated by the NAT1 enzyme to produce DNA damage rather than NAT2. The NAT1-overexpressing strain can be used to determine the genotoxic activation of bladder carcinogenic arylamines in the umu test and could provide a tool for predicting the carcinogenic potential of arylamines.

Identification of DNA adducts using HPLC/MS/MS following in vitro and in vivo experiments with arylamines and nitroarenes

Arylamines and nitroarenes are suspected of playing a key role in chemical carcinogenesis. Therefore, the study of DNA adduct formation is an important step to determine the genotoxic potential of these compounds. Calf thymus DNA was modified in vitro by reaction with activated N-hydroxyarylamines: 2-chloroaniline (2CA), 4-chloroaniline (4CA), 2-methylaniline (2MA), 4-methylaniline (4MA), 2,4-dimethylaniline (24DMA), 2,6-dimethylaniline (26DMA), 2-aminobiphenyl (2ABP), 3-aminobiphenyl (3ABP), and 4-aminobiphenyl (4ABP). Female Wistar rats (n = 2) were given a single dose of the above arylamines and their analogous nitro derivatives by oral gavage and sacrificed after 24 h. Hepatic DNA and in vitro modified DNA were hydrolyzed enzymatically to individual 2'-deoxyribonucleosides. Adducts were determined using HPLC/MS/MS by comparison to synthesized standards. The hydrolysis efficiency was monitored by HPLC with UV detection. Each arylamine described above formed adducts to 2'-deoxyguanosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine after in vitro reaction with DNA. DNA adducts were found in rats dosed with 4ABP or with 4-nitrobiphenyl. DNA adducts were not detected in rats dosed with 2CA, 4CA, 2MA, 4MA, 24DMA, 26DMA, 2ABP, 3ABP, 2-chloronitrobenzene, 4-chloronitrobenzene, 2-nitrotoluene, and 4-nitrotoluene. All compounds formed hydrolyzable hemoglobin adducts. Therefore, biologically available N-hydroxyarylamines yielded hemoglobin adducts but not hepatic DNA adducts, except for 4ABP.

Modulation of cytochrome P450 1A1 by food-derived heterocyclic aromatic amines

A short-term effect of a meal of fried meat is a postprandial induction of hepatic and intestinal cytochrome P450 activity. In order to identify the components responsible for this effect we investigated the potency of food derived genotoxic heterocyclic aromatic amines (HA) to induce CYP1A1 in vitro. In two cell lines, the rat hepatoma cell line H4IIE and the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, we investigated 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAC), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and Harman representing the different classes of HA at concentrations from 10(-8) to 10(-4) M. Induction of CYP1A1 was analysed on the mRNA level by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the protein level (western blot using specific antibodies). The relative order of enzyme induction was Trp-P-1 with 1.4 x 10(-6) M (EC50 compared to TCDD 10(-9) M), MeAalphaC (1.4 x 10(-5)), Harman (2.1 x 10(-4)) and MeIQx (1.0 x 10(-3)). Furthermore, CYP1A1 enzyme activity was analysed as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase. While protein and mRNA analyses gave similar results, competitive inhibition impaired the enzyme activity assay. Inhibition of CYP1A1 activity was determined using microsomes of heterologous expressed CYP1A1. This dose-dependent inhibitory activity paralleled the induction potency. These results compare well with earlier data published for hepatic enzyme induction by HA observed in animal experiments. However, since the observed activities are rather weak and the amounts of HA ingested with a meal are low, there may be other factors involved in the observed postprandial enzyme induction in humans. On the other hand, concentrations in the micromolar range that are reached in high dosage animal experiments with HA may well influence cytochrome activity and, thus, influence the experimental outcome of these studies.

In vitro evolution of RNA aptamers recognizing carcinogenic aromatic amines

The modification of cellular DNA by environmental substances is thought to be a crucial event in chemical induced carcinogenesis. Among the environmental carcinogens, aromatic amines are known for the fact that they can induce several types of cancers through the formation of so-called DNA adducts. We took advantage of the potential of the SELEX method to select for highly specific RNA ligands that recognize specific genotoxic aromatic amines. The aromatic amine 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA) was used as a target. Following in vitro selection, we obtained specific MDA-binding RNA molecules based on an affinity chromatography assay. These results open the possibility of using the SELEX technique to generate RNA molecules as diagnostic tools for the detection of DNA damaging compounds and ultimately DNA adducts.

Use of antioxidants to minimize the human health risk associated to mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in food

Heterocyclic amines (HAs) are mutagenic/carcinogenic compounds formed in meat during cooking. Several efforts have been made to minimize the risk associated to HA human exposure. Supplementation with antioxidants is considered a promising measure to reduce HA exposure because of their ability as inhibitors of HA formation or as blocking/suppressing agents on HA biotransformation/metabolism. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge on the capability of synthetic and natural antioxidants to modulate HA-induced mutagenicity/carcinogenicity. Data show a general trend towards a reduction of HA formation both in model systems and in real foods as well as an effective modulation of biotransformation and metabolism. Phenolic compounds, particularly those from tea and olive oil, seem to be the most effective, although a great variability is observed because of the concentration-dependent pro- and antioxidant effects.

Toxicity of model aliphatic amines and their chlorinated forms

Aliphatic amines can be found in many wastewater effluents from industry, agriculture, pharmacy, and food processing. Amines can induce toxicological responses that are relevant in biochemical treatment processes, as well as in natural waters. This research compared the toxicity and inhibition caused by three aliphatic amines (n-propylamine, ethylmethylamine, and trimethylamine) and their chlorinated derivatives. The chemistry of chlorine interactions with these compounds was characterized by using membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). Acute toxicity assays were conducted by using a Microtox system with Phosphobacterium phosphoreum (also known as Vibrio fischeri) for the aliphatic amine compounds and their corresponding chlorinated derivatives, as identified by MIMS. Inhibition tests were conducted by using the oxygen utilization rate test with an enhanced nitrifier culture. The median effective concentration (EC50) values for chloropropylamine, chloroethylmethylamine, and chlorodimethylamine obtained by Microtox with a contact time of 15 min were 12.68, 19.72, and 15.92 microM, respectively. The EC50 values of these aliphatic chloramines from the Microtox test decreased by roughly one order of magnitude as a result of chlorination. Inhibition of nitrifiers also was observed in these amines. Trimethylamine and n-propylamine caused greater inhibition to nitrifiers than did ethylmethylamine under similar concentrations. Nitrifier inhibition from these amines increased after chlorination. The results of these tests indicated that aliphatic amines and their chlorinated derivatives could induce environmentally relevant toxicity responses in treatment settings and in receiving waters.

Joint toxicity of similarly and dissimilarly acting chemicals to Daphnia magna at different response levels

The toxicity of two amines, nonylamine and decylamine, which have a narcotic effect on organisms, and ethylparathion (enzymatic inhibitor) on Daphnia magna has been studied when acting singly and in joint toxicity tests. This was done on the basis of an isobologram method where curves of constant response, i.e., isoboles are plotted vs. the concentrations of the two toxicants. The concentrations that immobilized 50, 10, and 0% of the test population in 48 h (IC50-48h, IC10-48h, and IC0-48h) were calculated. It is shown that nonylamine-decylamine mixtures follow a near concentration addition model of joint toxicity, while ethylparathion-decylamine mixtures follow a less than additive or near independent action model. The study was performed using three toxicity indices: additive index, sum of toxic units, and similarity parameter lambda. An analysis of the similarity parameter lambda is done to evaluate whether it has a constant value for IC50-48h, IC10-48h, and IC0-48h. The results suggest that it is quite probable that a constant value of lambda can be used to characterize all response levels, as the isoboles corresponding to the average value of the similarity parameter fit within the 95% confidence intervals of toxicant concentrations at all response levels. The average value of lambda is about 0.80 for the nonylamine-decylamine test and 0.30 for the ethylparathion-decylamine test.

Development of an isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry detection method for DNA adducts of selected aromatic amines

Polycyclic aromatic amines (arylamines) are a class of chemical carcinogens that are prevalent in environmental and industrial settings. They are metabolically activated to covalently bond to DNA, forming mutagenic adducts. In order to study the mechanisms of their toxicity, sensitive and selective quantitative LC/MS/MS detection methods were developed to measure the N-(adenin-8-yl)-benzidine adduct and N-(adenin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene in total DNA extract samples. A novel synthetic method using a palladium catalyst was previously developed to prepare authentic and deuterated arylamine-adenine adducts to serve as standards. These standards were then used to develop an HPLC electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, isotope dilution method. Sample detection limits in DNA samples were 22 pg on-column and 51 pg on-column for the N-(adenin-8-yl)-benzidine- and N-(adenin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene-adenine adducts, respectively. This method has applications for the study of DNA adduct formation as a biological marker of exposure to carcinogens and for environmental and workplace monitoring of these aromatic amines.

Biocompatibility and other properties of acrylic bone cements prepared with antiseptic activators

Acrylic bone cements prepared with activators of reduced toxicity have been formulated with the aim of improving the biocompatibility of the final material. The activators used were N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl alcohol (DMOH) and 4,4'-dimethylamino benzydrol (BZN). The toxicity, cytotoxicity, and antiseptic action of these activators were first studied. DMOH and BZN presented LD50 values 3-4 times higher than DMT, were less cytotoxic against polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and possessed an antimicrobial character, with a high activity against the most representative microorganisms involved in postoperative infections. The properties of the acrylic bone cements formulated with DMOH and BZN were evaluated to determine the influence of these activators on the curing process and the physicochemical characteristics of the cements. A decrease of the peak temperature was observed for the curing with DMOH or BZN with respect to that of one commercially available formulation (CMW 3). However, residual monomer content and mechanical properties in tension and compression were comparable to those of CMW 3. The biocompatibility of acrylic bone cements containing DMOH or BZN was studied and compared with CMW 3. To that end, intramuscular and intraosseous implantation procedures were carried out and the results were obtained from the histological analysis of the surrounding tissues at different periods of time. Implantation of rods of cement into the dorsal muscle of rats showed the presence of a membrane of connective tissue, which increased in collagen fibers with time of implantation, for all formulations. The intraosseous implantation of the cements in the dough state in the femur of rabbits, revealed a higher and early osseous neoformation, with the presence of osteoid material surrounding the rest of the cured material, for the cement prepared with the activator BZN in comparison with that obtained following the implantation of the cement cured with DMOH or DMT (CMW 3).

Regional mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines in the intestine: mutation analysis of the cII gene in lambda/lacZ transgenic mice

Transgenic mouse assays have revealed that the mouse intestine, despite its resistance to carcinogenesis, is sensitive to the mutagenicity of some heterocyclic amines (HCAs). Little is known, however, about the level and localization of that sensitivity. We assessed the mutagenicity of four orally administered (20 mg/kg per day for 5 days) HCAs-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) hydrochloride, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) acetate-in the intestine of male MutaMice. Two weeks after the last administration, we isolated epithelium from the small intestine, cecum, and colon and analyzed lacZ and cII transgene mutations. PhIP increased the lacZ mutant frequency (MF) in all the samples, and in the small intestine, cII and lacZ MFs were comparable. In the cII gene, G:C to T:A and G:C to C:G transversions were characteristic PhIP-induced mutations (which has also been reported for the rat colon, where PhIP is carcinogenic). In the small intestine, PhIP increased the cII MF to four-fold that of the control, but IQ, MeIQ, and Trp-P-2 did not have a significant mutagenic effect. In the cecum, cII MFs induced by IQ and MeIQ were 1.9 and 2.7 times those in the control, respectively. The MF induced by MeIQ in the colon was 3.1 times the control value. Mutagenic potency was in the order PhIP>MeIQ>IQ; Trp-P-2 did not significantly increase the MF in any tissue. The cecum was the most susceptible organ to HCA mutagenicity.

Prediction of aromatic amines mutagenicity from theoretical molecular descriptors

In the present research the mutagenicity data (Ames tests TA98 and TA100) for various aromatic and heteroaromatic amines, a data set extensively studied by other quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)-authors, have been modeled by a wide set of theoretical molecular descriptors using linear multivariate regression (MLR) and genetic algorithm-variable subset selection (GA-VSS). The models have been calculated on a subset of compounds selected by a D-optimal experimental design. Moreover, they have been validated by both internal and external validation procedures showing satisfactory predictive performance. The models proposed here can be useful in predicting data and setting a testing priority for those compounds for which experimental data are not available or are not yet synthesized.