Interspecies metabolism of heterocyclic aromatic amines
- Nestle Research Center, Lausanne (Switzerland); and others
2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimadazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and other heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are rodent carcinogens and potential human carcinogens formed in cooked meats and fish. Metabolic activation of MeIQx to a genotoxin occurs through cytochrome P450 mediated N-oxidation to form N-hydroxy-MeIQx which may undergo further activation by esterification to product species which bind to DNA. Pathways of MeIQx metabolism have been elucidated in rodents and nonhuman primates to develop strategies of human biomonitoring. In addition to N-oxidation, predominant routes of detoxification include direct conjugation at the exoyclic amino group with sulfate or glucuronic acid and cytochrome P450 mediated ring oxidation. Analysis of urine from five human subjects exposed to MeIQx reveals that phase II conjugation reactions to the exocyclic amine group are prominent detoxifaction pathways while heterocyclic ring oxidation is a minor pathway. Notably, the N{sup 2-} glucuronide conjugate of N-hydroxy-MeIQx is an important metabolite in human urine. Several other metabolites have been detected in human urine which have not been previously identified in rats or nonhuman primates. Similarities and differences exist in the metabolic processing of MeIQx by humans and other species and may be a critical determinant in assessing the human health risk of HAAs.
- OSTI ID:
- 538962
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960807--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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