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Formation and persistence of benzo(a)pyrene metabolite-DNA adducts

Journal Article · · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.856231· OSTI ID:5446708

Benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and are suspected to be carcinogenic in man. The in vivo formation of BP metabolite-DNA adducts has been characterized in a variety of target and nontarget tissues of mice and rabbits. Tissues included were lung, liver, forestomach, colon, kidney, muscle, and brain. The major adduct identified in each tissue was the (+)-7..beta..,8..cap alpha..-dihydroxy-9..cap alpha..,10..cap alpha..-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BP (BPDEI)-deoxyguanosine adduct. A 7..beta..,8..cap alpha..-dihydroxy-9..beta..,10..beta..-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BP (BPDEII)-deoxyguanosine adduct, a (-)-BPDEI-deoxyguanosine adduct, and an unidentified adduct were also observed. The adduct levels are unexpectedly similar in all the tissues examined from the same BP-treated animal. The authors have also examined adduct levels formed in vivo in several cell types of lung and liver. These and previous results strongly suggest that DNA in many human tissues is continuously damaged from known exposure of humans to BP and other PAH. Moreover, DNA adducts formed from BP are persistent in lung and brain. The persistence of adducts in cell types that have slow turnover rates could result in significant accumulation of adducts from long-term exposure to low levels of BP.

Research Organization:
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
OSTI ID:
5446708
Journal Information:
Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 62; ISSN EVHPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English