The effect of pentachlorophenol and its metabolite tetrachlorohydroquinone on cell growth and the induction of DNA damage in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The critical role of superoxide anion radicals on delaying tetrachlorohydroquinone autooxidation by penicillamine

We have recently found that penicillamine, a classic copper-chelating thiol-drug for Wilson's disease, can delay tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ) autooxidation via a previously unrecognized redox-activity. However, its underlying molecular mechanism remains not fully understood. In this study, we found, interestingly and unexpectedly, that superoxide dismutase (SOD) can significantly shorten the delay of TCHQ autooxidation by penicillamine, but not by ascorbate; SOD can also markedly increase the yields of the oxidized form of penicillamine. Similar effects were observed with a recently-developed specific and sensitive superoxide anion radical (O₂^•-) probe CT-02H, which was also employed to successfully measure O₂^•- generated from both TCHQ and TCHQ/penicillamine systems for the first time. More importantly, addition of extra O₂^•- (KO₂/18-crown-6) can further prolong the delaying effects by penicillamine and slow down penicillamine consumption. Taken together, an unexpected critical role of O₂^•- in TCHQ/penicillamine interaction was proposed: O₂^•- may regenerate penicillamine, thereby continuously reducing TCSQ^•- to TCHQ and finally delaying TCHQ autooxidation; In contrast, if O₂^•- were eliminated, which can not only markedly change the reaction equilibrium, accelerate the rate of interaction, and ultimately shorten the delay of TCHQ autooxidation by penicillamine, but can also accelerate penicillamine oxidation to form its corresponding disulfide solely via redox reaction without any minor nucleophilic reaction. These findings not only further support our previously-proposed redox mechanism for the protection against TCHQ-induced cytotoxicity by penicillamine, but also reveal a new mode of action for O₂^•- in the inhibition of haloquinoids-induced toxicity by thiol antioxidants.

An unexpected antioxidant and redox activity for the classic copper-chelating drug penicillamine

Penicillamine has been widely-used clinically as a copper-chelating drug for the treatment of copper-overload in Wilson's disease. In this study, we found that penicillamine provided marked protection against cytotoxicity induced by tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ), a major toxic metabolite of the well-known wood preservative pentachlorophenol, while other classic copper-chelating agents do not. We found, unexpectedly, that both TCHQ autooxidation and tetrachlorosemiquinone radical (TCSQ^•-) formation were remarkably delayed by penicillamine. Further investigation showed that TCSQ^•- was reduced back to TCHQ by penicillamine, with the concurrent formation of its corresponding disulfide. These data demonstrated that the protection by penicillamine against TCHQ-induced toxicity was not due to its classic Cu-chelating property, but rather to its reduction of the reactive TCSQ^•- to the much less-reactive TCHQ. This is the first report of an unexpected antioxidant and redox activity for penicillamine, which might prove highly relevant to its biological activities.

Evidence of apoptosis in some cell types due to pentachlorophenol (PCP) in Heteropneustes fossilis

The study aimed to clarify the role of apoptosis in pentachlorophenol (PCP) induced testicular, ovarian and renal cell genotoxicity of Heteropneustes fossilis. It was further intended to find the target germ cell type and assess the cellular and nuclear damage. Treatment of PCP was used for multiduration on the germinal tissues and they were processed to detect structural changes by light and electron microscopic evaluation and kidney cells for subsequent detection of DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis. Findings suggest functional and morphological changes in the tissues are due to apoptosis, as evidenced by some biochemical and cytological signs. Histological observation on germinal epithelium reveals cell suicidal symptoms such as vacuolization, liquefied regions in the cytoplasm of oocytes, margination of nuclei, clumping of chromatin, and compaction of cytoplasmic organelle. Biochemical manifestation concurrent to this, is; cleavage of kidney cell DNA into low molecular weight fragments confirming apoptosis. Subsequently, it is further cleaved into nucleosome size fragments or its multiples. Ultra-structural histopathology and DNA studies conclusively lead to the PCP induced apoptosis in the exposed cell types. Results further support the usefulness of this assay in the related studies and its feasibility in generating a base line data.

Characterization of TCHQ-induced genotoxicity and mutagenesis using the pSP189 shuttle vector in mammalian cells

Tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ) is a major toxic metabolite of the widely used wood preservative, pentachlorophenol (PCP), and it has also been implicated in PCP genotoxicity. However, the underlying mechanisms of genotoxicity and mutagenesis induced by TCHQ remain unclear. In this study, we examined the genotoxicity of TCHQ by using comet assays to detect DNA breakage and formation of TCHQ-DNA adducts. Then, we further verified the levels of mutagenesis by using the pSP189 shuttle vector in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. We demonstrated that TCHQ causes significant genotoxicity by inducing DNA breakage and forming DNA adducts. Additionally, DNA sequence analysis of the TCHQ-induced mutations revealed that 85.36% were single base substitutions, 9.76% were single base insertions, and 4.88% were large fragment deletions. More than 80% of the base substitutions occurred at G:C base pairs, and the mutations were G:C to C:G, G:C to T:A or G:C to A:T transversions and transitions. The most common types of mutations in A549 cells were G:C to A:T (37.14%) and A:T to C:G transitions (14.29%) and G:C to C:G (34.29%) and G:C to T:A (11.43%) transversions. We identified hotspots at nucleotides 129, 141, and 155 in the supF gene of plasmid pSP189. These mutation hotspots accounted for 63% of all single base substitutions. We conclude that TCHQ induces sequence-specific DNA mutations at high frequencies. Therefore, the safety of using this product would be carefully examined.

Potential mechanism for pentachlorophenol-induced carcinogenicity: a novel mechanism for metal-independent production of hydroxyl radicals

The hydroxyl radical ((*)OH) has been considered to be one of the most reactive oxygen species produced in biological systems. It has been shown that (*)OH can cause DNA, protein, and lipid oxidation. One of the most widely accepted mechanisms for (*)OH production is through the transition metal-catalyzed Fenton reaction. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was one of the most widely used biocides, primarily for wood preservation. PCP is now ubiquitously present in our environment and even found in people who are not occupationally exposed to it. PCP has been listed as a priority pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and classified as a group 2B environmental carcinogen by the International Association for Research on Cancer (IARC). The genotoxicity of PCP has been attributed to its two major quinoid metabolites: tetrachlorohydroquinone and tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (TCBQ). Although the redox cycling of PCP quinoid metabolites to generate reactive oxygen species is believed to play an important role, the exact molecular mechanism underlying PCP genotoxicity is not clear. Using the salicylate hydroxylation assay and electron spin resonance (ESR) secondary spin-trapping methods, we found that (*)OH can be produced by TCBQ and H(2)O(2) independent of transition metal ions. Further studies showed that TCBQ, but not its corresponding semiquinone radical, the tetrachlorosemiquinone radical (TCSQ(*)), is essential for (*)OH production. The major reaction product between TCBQ and H(2)O(2) was identified to be trichloro-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (TrCBQ-OH), and H(2)O(2) was found to be the source and origin of the oxygen atom inserted into this reaction product. On the basis of these data, we propose that (*)OH production by TCBQ and H(2)O(2) is not through a semiquinone-dependent organic Fenton reaction but rather through the following novel mechanism: a nucleophilic attack of H(2)O(2) to TCBQ, leading to the formation of an unstable trichloro-hydroperoxyl-1,4-benzoquinone (TrCBQ-OOH) intermediate, which decomposes homolytically to produce (*)OH. These findings represent a novel mechanism of (*)OH formation not requiring the involvement of redox-active transition metal ions and may partly explain the potential carcinogenicity of the widely used biocides such as PCP and other polyhalogenated aromatic compounds.

The changes of serum testosterone level and hepatic microsome enzyme activity of crucian carp (Carassius carassius) exposed to a sublethal dosage of pentachlorophenol

Pentachlorophenol (PCP), which was reported to be a typical persistent organic pollutant and environmental endocrine disruptor, may cause threat to aquatic species. In this study, serum testosterone concentration, activity of liver microsome ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) of crucian carp (Carassius carassius) exposed to PCP for 7 and 15 d, respectively, were examined. The results showed that testosterone concentration was induced remarkably after 7 d (P<0.05), and the testosterone concentrations in 15 d treatment crucian carp were higher than those in 7 d treatment. It was found that there were significant effects on activities of EROD and GST after crucian carp were exposed to PCP for 7 and 15 d (P<0.05), compared to the controls. EROD and GST activities increased with increase in PCP concentration and also with increase in time on exposure. The results indicated that serum testosterone, EROD and GST were sensitive endpoints to PCP. PCP may have endocrine disrupting activities and may affect the reproductive success of this species. It is possible that the changes of hepatic microsome enzyme activities may result in alterations of serum testosterone levels in crucian carp.

Bioavailability and toxicity of pentachlorophenol in contaminated soil evaluated on coelomocytes of Eisenia andrei (Annelida: Lumbricidae)

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is widely distributed and highly persistent in soil, and represents a threat to the health of ecosystems. The present study aimed to assess the toxicity and bioavailability of PCP in soils as a function of different aging periods with the attempt to select a good toxicological assay for Eisenia andrei Bouché (Annelida: Lumbricidae). The experiments were performed on soil contaminated with PCP at 15 and 150ppm. After different aging periods (20, 60 and 120 days from spiking), bioavailability and toxicity were evaluated on E. andrei kept for 7 and 14 days in treated soils. The actual bioavailability decreased in relation to the aging for both PCP concentrations. No membrane damage was observed on coelomocytes collected by ethanol extrusion. Modifications in distribution of coelomocyte subpopulations were detected by flow cytometry on samples aged for 60 and 120 days at 150ppm PCP contamination. The reduction of lysosomal membrane stability, measured by neutral red retention time, was observed in all treatments. Worm mortality increased with aging in soils spiked with 150ppm of PCP. In conclusion, aging did not seem to reduce PCP cytotoxicity. This is the first report on in vivo toxicity of PCP evaluated on coelomocytes of E. andrei using different assays.

Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) for toxicity of chlorophenols on L929 cells in vitro

Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) were developed to predict toxicity of chlorophenols by correlating LC50 values with five molecular descriptors, chosen to represent lipophilic, electronic and steric effects: the n-octanol/water partition coefficient (log K(ow)), the constant of Hammett (sigma sigma), the acid dissociation constant (pKa), the order valence molecular connectivity index (1chi(v)) and the perimeter of the efficacious section (sigma D(g)). The results of the regression analysis showed that log K(ow) and sigma D(g) are the dominant (canonical) predictive factors in determining toxicity of chlorophenols to the cells during 24 h exposures, while log K(ow) was the only dominant predictive factor contributing to toxicity during in 48 h exposures. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) were applied to investigate predictive relationships of the cytotoxicity of chlorophenols and develop visual 3D-QSAR models. The CoMFA model, in which the contribution of the electrostatic field to the biological activity was greater than that of the steric field, exhibited both high consistency and predictability (r2 = 0.968, Q2 = 0.891 for 24 h exposure; but the relationship was poorer for the 48 h exposure: r2 = 0.727, Q2 = 0.394). The CoMSIA model used in this study contained three fields: electrostatic, hydrophobic and steric, of which the relative contribution to the biological activity was 0.767:0.225:0.008. In addition, according to the models for 24 h and 48 h. The time-dependent toxicity and potential mechanisms for inhibition of L929 cells was discussed.

Neurotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and simple chemical mixtures

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major class of environmental pollutants. These chemicals are the products of incomplete combustion and are present in every compartment of the environment. While the carcinogenic potential of these chemicals has been investigated in numerous studies, very little is known about the potential of these chemicals to produce damage to neural cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicity of several model PAHs and binary mixtures of these chemicals in neural cells. Chemicals tested included benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), chrysene, anthracene, and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Four end points, including amino acid incorporation, total protein, total cell count, and viable cells (trypan dye exclusion), were measured in SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and C6 rat glioma cells. The most sensitive measure of PAH toxicity in neural cells was amino acid incorporation into proteins. BaP was the most toxic of all PAHs tested, and anthracene failed to produce a toxic response at any concentration tested. Without metabolic activation, BaP induced a significant cytotoxic response at a concentration of 30 microM. With activation (0.25% S9), BaP induced a response at concentration levels of 3 microM and 30 microM. Minimal toxicity was observed with chrysene at the highest concentration tested, and anthracene failed to produce a toxic response at any concentration tested. With mixtures of PAHs the majority of samples induced additive responses. The minimum concentration required to induce a significant response was reduced for the mixture of chrysene and BaP when compared to BaP alone. In addition, PCP appeared to increase the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by mipafox. The data suggest that PAHs are capable of producing damage to neural cells only at concentrations that are near their solubility limits.

Pentachlorophenol Poisoning

Despite being banned in many countries and having its use severely restricted in others, pentachlorophenol (PCP) remains an important pesticide from a toxicological perspective. It is a stable and persistent compound. In humans it is readily absorbed by ingestion and inhalation but is less well absorbed dermally. Its distribution is limited, its metabolism extensive and it is eliminated only slowly. Assessment of the toxicity of PCP is confounded by the presence of contaminants known to cause effects identical to those attributed to PCP. However, severe exposure by any route may result in an acute and occasionally fatal illness that bears all the hallmarks of being mediated by uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Tachycardia, tachypnoea, sweating, altered consciousness, hyperthermia, convulsions and early onset of marked rigor (if death occurs) are the most notable features. Pulmonary oedema, intravascular haemolysis, pancreatitis, jaundice and acute renal failure have been reported. There is no antidote and no adequate data to support the use of repeat-dose oral cholestyramine, forced diuresis or urine alkalinisation as effective methods of enhancing PCP elimination in poisoned humans. Supportive care and vigorous management of hyperthermia should produce a satisfactory outcome. Chronic occupational exposure to PCP may produce a syndrome similar to acute systemic poisoning, together with conjunctivitis and irritation of the upper respiratory and oral mucosae. Long-term exposure has also been reported to result in chronic fatigue or neuropsychiatric features in combination with skin infections (including chloracne), chronic respiratory symptoms, neuralgic pains in the legs, and impaired fertility and hypothyroidism secondary to endocrine disruption. PCP is a weak mutagen but the available data for humans are insufficient to classify it more strongly than as a probable carcinogen.

Heat shock protein Hsp70 expression and DNA damage in Baikalian sponges exposed to model pollutants and wastewater from Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Plant

Lake Baikal, a unique habitat for a great number of endemic species, is the largest freshwater reservoir in the world which is still largely unaffected by anthropogenic pollution, except for some shore regions with industrial activity. The expressions of a biomarker of exposure (heat shock protein Hsp70) and a biomarker of effect (DNA single-strand breaks) were measured for the first time in endemic Baikalian sponge species (Baikalospongia intermedia, Lubomirskia fusifera, and Lubomirskia abietina). Tissue cubes of B. intermedia and dissociated cells of L. fusifera and L. abietina reacted to temperature stress (10-16 degrees C above ambient temperature) with a time-dependent increase in expression of Hsp70. In B. intermedia, the effects of model pollutants (lead, copper, and zinc, and the organochlorines tetrachloroguaiacol, TCG, and pentachlorophenol, PCP) and of the wastewater from the final refinement and aeration reservoirs of the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Plant (BPPP), located at the shore of the southern basin of Lake Baikal, on the expression of Hsp70 and the extent of DNA damage were investigated. It was found that lead and zinc but not copper cause a strong induction of Hsp70 in this sponge, while the frequency of DNA single-strand breaks increased after exposure to all these heavy metals tested. Induction of DNA single-strand breaks was also observed after exposure to TCG and PCP, but these compounds did not (consistently) enhance Hsp70 expression. Wastewater taken from the final water aeration pond of BPPP caused a concentration-dependent increase in Hsp70 expression in B. intermedia. However, there was no difference in the basal levels of Hsp70 between sponges collected in the shallow water at an unpolluted site near Baikalsk City and at a polluted site where the wastewaters of BPPP are discharged into the lake. There was also no clear difference in the wastewater concentration-dependent induction of Hsp70 expression between sponges collected at these sites, indicating no adaptation to continuous stress exposure.

A test battery for the ecotoxicological evaluation of pentachlorophenol

Experimental bioassays are currently used in ecotoxicology and environmental toxicology to provide information for risk assessment evaluation of new chemicals and to investigate their effects and mechanisms of action; in addition, ecotoxicological models are used for the detection, control and monitoring of the presence of pollutants in the environment. As a single bioassay will never provide a full picture of the quality of the environment, a representative, cost-effective and quantitative test battery should be developed. The effects of pentachlorophenol were studied using a battery of ecotoxicological model systems, including immobilization of Daphnia magna, bioluminiscence inhibition in the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, growth inhibition of the alga Chlorella vulgaris, and micronuclei induction in the plant Allium cepa. The inhibition of cell proliferation and MTT reduction were investigated in Vero cells. Neutral red uptake, cell growth, MTT reduction, lactate dehydrogenase leakage and activity were studied in the salmonid fish cell line RTG-2, derived from the gonad of rainbow trout. Pentachlorophenol was very toxic for all biota and cells. The system most sensitive to pentachlorophenol, was micronuclei induction in A. cepa, followed by D. magna immobilization, bioluminescence inhibition in V. fischeri bacteria at 60 min and cell proliferation inhibition of RTG-2 cells at 72 h. Inhibition of cell proliferation and MTT reduction on Vero monkey cells showed intermediate sensitivity.

Induction of direct adducts, apurinic/apyrimidinic sites and oxidized bases in nuclear DNA of human HeLa S3 tumor cells by tetrachlorohydroquinone

DNA damage induced by tetrachlorohydroquinone (Cl(4)HQ), the quinonoid metabolite of pentachlorophenol (PCP), was investigated in human HeLa S3 tumor cells. Formation of one major and two minor DNA adducts in cells treated with Cl(4)HQ (50-300 microM) was detected by (32)P-post-labeling assay and the adducts accumulated over the course of the experiment (0.5-2 h), with total adduct levels estimated to be 3-6 per 10(8) nucleotides. These adducts did not correspond to those derived from calf thymus DNA treated with tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone. Results from the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites assay indicated that the number of AP sites was 2-fold greater in cells exposed to Cl(4)HQ (300 microM) than the corresponding control. Further characterization of the AP sites confirmed that Cl(4)HQ induced predominantly (75%) putrescine-excisable AP sites in HeLa S3 cells. In parallel, the concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-HO-dG) in cells treated with Cl(4)HQ for 0.5 and 2 h was increased 2- and 5-fold, respectively, compared with the control. The extent of oxidative DNA damage induced by Cl(4)HQ was approximately two orders of magnitude greater than those of direct DNA adducts. Overall, it appears that reactive oxygen species mediate the parallel formation of AP sites and 8-HO-dG in HeLa S3 cells following treatment with Cl(4)HQ and that the contribution of depurination/depyrimidination of direct DNA adducts is relatively insignificant compared with the formation of oxidized AP sites. We conclude that putrescine-excisable AP sites represent a major type of ROS-mediated oxidative DNA damage in cellular DNA induced by Cl(4)HQ and may play a role in PCP-induced clastogenicity in mammalian cells.

Oxidative damage and direct adducts in calf thymus DNA induced by the pentachlorophenol metabolites, tetrachlorohydroquinone and tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone

DNA damage induced by quinoid metabolites of pentachlorophenol (PCP), i.e. tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (Cl(4)BQ) and tetrachlorohydroquinone (Cl(4)HQ), was investigated in calf thymus DNA. The (32)P-post-labeling assay revealed four major and several minor adducts (3.5 adducts per 10(5) total nucleotides) that were produced in calf thymus DNA treated with Cl(4)BQ (5 mM). These DNA adducts were chemically stable even after conditions that induce thermal depurination and are unlikely to undergo depurination/depyrimidination to form apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites. In addition, increases in 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-HO-dG) (5 8-HO-dG per 10(5) nucleotides) and AP sites (0.5 AP sites per 10(5) nucleotides) were observed in Cl(4)BQ-modified calf thymus DNA. Further investigation indicated that in the presence of Cu(II) and NADPH, low concentrations of Cl(4)BQ (1 microM) induced a doubling of 8-HO-dG (10 8-HO-dG per 10(5) nucleotides) and dramatic increases in AP sites (20 AP sites per 10(5) nucleotides) and DNA single-strand breaks. The types of DNA damage induced by Cl(4)HQ plus Cu(II) were similar to those by Cl(4)BQ plus Cu(II) and NADPH, whereas catalase inhibited the formation of DNA damage. These data suggest that oxidative damage is causally involved in the formation of AP sites. Concentration-dependent increases in 8-HO-dG induced by Cl(4)HQ plus Cu(II) and Cl(4)BQ plus Cu(II) and NADPH were correlated with the formation of AP sites (r(2) = 0.977) with a ratio of 8-HO-dG to AP sites at 1:1.6. The AP site-cleavage assay confirmed that approximately 85% of the AP sites induced by Cl(4)HQ and Cu(II) were detected as 5'-cleaved AP sites. Since hydrogen peroxide alone causes similar DNA damage, these results suggest the involvement of Cu(II) and hydrogen peroxide in the induction of oxidative DNA damage by Cl(4)HQ/Cl(4)BQ. The data demonstrate that PCP quinone and hydroquinone induce direct and oxidative base modifications as well as the formation of 5'-cleaved AP sites in genomic DNA. These lesions may have important implications for PCP clastogenicity and carcinogenicity.

Characterization of metabolic activation of pentachlorophenol to quinones and semiquinones in rodent liver

Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a widely used biocide, induces liver tumors in mice but not in rats. Metabolic activation of PCP to chlorinated quinones and semiquinones in liver cytosol from Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice was investigated in vitro (1) with microsomes in the presence of either beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) or cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), (2) with CHP in the absence of microsomes, and (3) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and H2O2. Mono-S- and multi-S-substituted adducts of tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (Cl4-1,4-BQ) and Cl4-1,2-BQ and their corresponding semiquinones [i.e. tetrachloro-1,4-benzosemiquinone (Cl4-1,4-SQ) and tetrachloro-1,2-benzosemiquinone (Cl4-1,2-SQ)] were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Qualitatively, the metabolites of PCP were the same in both rats and mice for all activation systems. Induction of PCP metabolism by either 3MC or PB-treated microsomes was observed in NADPH- but not in CHP-supported systems. In rats, the amount of induction was comparable with either 3MC or PB. 3MC was a stronger inducer than PB in mice and also induced a greater amount of metabolism than in rats. This suggests that induction of specific P450 isozymes may play a role in the toxicity of PCP to mice. Both HRP/H2O2 and CHP led to production of the full spectrum of chlorinated quinones and semiquinones, confirming the direct oxidation of PCP. CHP (with or without microsomes) converted PCP into much greater quantities of quinones and semiquinones than did microsomal P450/NADPH or HRP/H2O2 in both species. This implies that, under conditions of oxidative stress, endogenous lipid hydroperoxides may increase PCP metabolism sufficiently to enhance the toxicity and carcinogenicity of PCP.

Evidence for production of hydroxyl radicals by pentachlorophenol metabolites and hydrogen peroxide: A metal-independent organic Fenton reaction

The production of hydroxyl radicals by tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ, a major metabolite of the widely used biocide pentachlorophenol) in the presence of H(2)O(2) was studied by salicylate hydroxylation method. HPLC with electrochemical detection was used to measure the levels of 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) formed when the hydroxyl radicals react with salicylate. We found that TCHQ and H(2)O(2) could produce both 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA when incubated with salicylate. Their production was markedly inhibited by hydroxyl radical scavenging agents dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol, as well as by tetrachlorosemiquinone radical scavengers desferrioxamine and other hydroxamic acids. In contrast, their production was not affected by the nonhydroxamate iron chelators diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), bathophenanthroline disulfonic acid, and phytic acid, as well as the copper-specific chelator bathocuprione disulfonic acid. A comparison of product formation and distribution from the reaction of ferrous iron with hydrogen peroxide (the classic Fenton system) strongly suggests that the same hydroxyl radical adducts are formed as in the TCHQ/H(2)O(2) experiments. Taken together, we propose that hydroxyl radicals were produced by TCHQ in the presence of H(2)O(2), probably through a metal-independent organic Fenton reaction.

Protection by desferrioxamine and other hydroxamic acids against tetrachlorohydroquinone-induced cyto- and genotoxicity in human fibroblasts

Tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ) has been identified as a major toxic metabolite of the widely used wood preservative pentachlorophenol and has also been implicated in its genotoxicity. We have recently demonstrated that protection by the trihydroxamate iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) on TCHQ-induced single-strand breaks in isolated DNA was not the result of its chelation of iron but rather of its efficient scavenging of the reactive tetrachlorosemiquinone (TCSQ) radical. In this study, we extended our research from isolated DNA to human fibroblasts. We found that DFO provided marked protection against both the cyto- and genotoxicity induced by TCHQ in human fibroblasts when it was incubated simultaneously with TCHQ. Pretreatment of the cells with DFO followed by washing also provided marked protection, although less efficiently compared with the simultaneous treatment. Similar patterns of protection were also observed for three other hydroxamic acids (HAs): aceto-, benzo-, and salicylhydroxamic acid. Dimethyl sulfoxide, an efficient hydroxyl radical scavenger, provided only partial protection even at high concentrations. In vitro studies showed that the HAs tested effectively scavenged the reactive TCSQ radical and enhanced the formation of the less reactive and less toxic 2,5-dichloro-3, 6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranilic acid). The results of this study demonstrated that the protection provided by DFO and other HAs against TCHQ-induced cyto- and genotoxicity in human fibroblasts is mainly through scavenging of the observed reactive TCSQ radical and not through prevention of the Fenton reaction by the binding of iron in a redox-inactive form.

Pentachlorophenol exposure in women with gynecological and endocrine dysfunction

Exposure to wood preservatives containing pentachlorophenol (PCP) was detected in 65 women who consulted the Endocrinological Department of the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg, Germany, because of gynecological problems. Blood PCP levels ranged from 20.7 to 133 microg per liter of serum. One hundred and six women with similar clinical conditions, corresponding age and body weight, no PCP exposure in history, and PCP levels below 20 microg per liter of serum served as control group. Significant associations were found between serum PCP concentrations, age, and different parameters of the endocrine system. PCP may act centrally on a hypothalamic or suprahypothalamic level which may result in mild ovarian and adrenal insufficiency. PCP may, therefore, play a role in the increasing infertility problem.

In vivo levels of chlorinated hydroquinones in a pentachlorophenol-degrading bacterium

Sphingomonas chlorophenolica RA-2 is a soil microorganism that can grow on pentachlorophenol (PCP) as a sole carbon source. In this microorganism, PCP is converted to tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ), trichlorohydroquinone, and 2,6-dichlorohydroquinone. The remainder of the pathway has not yet been defined. The ability to grow on PCP as a sole carbon source is remarkable because of the toxicity of PCP and its chlorinated hydroquinone metabolites. Experiments in which the levels of PCP and chlorinated hydroquinones were measured in cells metabolizing [U-14C]PCP revealed that the levels of chlorinated hydroquinones in the cytoplasm are in the low micromolar range. The toxicity of chlorinated hydroquinones was evaluated by exposure of Escherichia coli cells that had been treated with EDTA (to remove the outer membrane) to TCHQ. Significant toxicity due to TCHQ was not apparent until concentrations of 500 microM and higher. Thus, an important part of the explanation for why S. chlorophenolica RA-2 is able to grow on PCP as a sole carbon source is undoubtedly that it can process sufficient carbon for growth without accumulating high levels of toxic intermediates.

Growth responses of achlorophyllous Euglena gracilis to selected concentrations of cadmium and pentachlorophenol

The growth response of a wild achlorophyllous Euglena gracilis mutant was studied during exposure to cadmium and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Cadmium gradually reduced the growth rate and terminal cell density; PCP only lengthened the initial lag phase relative to control cultures. Flow cytometry showed that cadmium altered the cell cycle by delaying late S and G2/M phases; PCP did not disturb the cell cycle, but markedly affected DNA staining: the intercalating dyes ethidium bromide and propidium iodide showed little staining compared to controls. However, replication and transcription processes were not altered by PCP, as cell division occurred normally. Cells surviving after PCP treatment apparently developed an adaptative response during the lag phase.

The pentachlorophenol metabolite tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone induces the formation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in liver DNA of male B6C3F1 mice

Tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone (TCHQ), the major metabolite of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in mammalian systems, is known to autoxidize to its semiquinone radical under physiological conditions. In this way, PCP could present a potent source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during metabolization. ROS contribute to numerous modifications of DNA. Formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), a product of hydroxyl radical attack on DNA, is monitored as a marker of a major genetic lesion induced by agents which produce oxygen radicals. We studied the properties of TCHQ for the induction of oxidative DNA damage in vivo. Male B6C3F1 mice were fed a diet containing TCHQ for 2 and 4 weeks. These experiments resulted in an enhancement of about 50% of the 8-OH-dG portion in liver DNA after administration of 300 mg TCHQ/kg body wt./day for 2 weeks. Control levels did not change over the periods of 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. In contrast to these results, a single i.p. injection of 20 or 50 mg/kg body wt. did not affect the 8-OH-dG content after 6 and 24 h, respectively. These data may support a possible contribution of ROS to the carcinogenicity of PCP.

Induction of micronuclei in V79 Chinese hamster cells by tetrachlorohydroquinone, a metabolite of pentachlorophenol

Tetrachlorohydroquinone, a metabolite of the fungicide pentachlorophenol, induced significant dose-related increases in micronuclei in V79 Chinese hamster cells without exogenous metabolic activation. The lowest observed effective dose was 10 microM, where the relative survival was about 62%. At the highest dose tested, 20 microM, the relative survival was about 8% and the frequency of cells with micronuclei was about 6 times the solvent control frequency. The induction of micronuclei by tetrachlorohydroquinone was significantly inhibited by the hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide at 5% (v/v).