Effects of catechol on the induction of tumors in mouse skin by 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrenes.

Abstract

Catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) is a major phenolic compound present in the co-carcinogenic fraction of cigarette tar. It has been shown to be a potent co-carcinogen with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in mouse skin. In this study we have examined the co-carcinogenic and co-initiating activities of catechol with racemic and enantiomeric 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrenes (BaP-7,8-diols) in mouse skin. Similar to enhancement of BaP carcinogenesis, repeated concurrent applications of catechol and (+/-)-BaP-7,8-diol to mouse skin strongly enhanced (+/-)-BaP-7,8-diol tumor multiplicity and tumor incidence, and decreased latency. Co-application of catechol with the racemic or either of the enantiomers of BaP-7,8-diol in a two-stage initiation--promotion protocol increased the tumor initiating activity of racemic BaP-7,8-diol, similar to that of BaP, by approximately 50%, but had no statistically significant effect on the tumor initiating activity of the (+)- or (-)-enantiomers in mouse skin. Thus, catechol is as potent a co-carcinogen with (+/-)-BaP-7,8-diol as it is with BaP. However, as tested here catechol is a weak co-initiator when applied with (+/-)-BaP-7,8-diol or BaP.

• Authors: A A Melikian, K G Jordan, J Braley, J Rigotty, C L Meschter, S S Hecht, D Hoffmann
• Journal: Carcinogenesis (Carcinogenesis) Vol. 10 Issue 10 Pg. 1897-900 (Oct 1989) ISSN: 0143-3334 [Print] England
• PMID: 2507190 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Catechols
• Dihydroxydihydrobenzopyrenes
• Benzo(a)pyrene
• 7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide
• catechol

Topics

• 7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide (toxicity)
• Animals
• Benzo(a)pyrene (toxicity)
• Catechols (pharmacology)
• Dihydroxydihydrobenzopyrenes (toxicity)
• Female
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Reference Values
• Skin Neoplasms (chemically induced, pathology)