Comparative tumorigenicity of 1- and 3-nitrobenzo[a]pyrenes, and 3,6- and 1,6-dinitrobenzo[a]pyrenes in F344/DuCrj rats.

Abstract

Our earlier study revealed that 1- and 3-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene (NBP), 1,6- and 3,6-dinitrobenzo[a]pyrene (DNBP), nitrated derivatives of benzo[a]BP (BP), are present in the environment. These derivatives are potent mutagens for Salmonella tester strains and we have preliminarily reported them to be carcinogenic in F344/DuCrj rats. In this study, the tumorigenic action of 1- and 3-NBP, 1.6- and 3,6-DNBP, and BP induced by subcutaneous injection into rats was found to differ according to the NO2-substitution in the BP structure. The chemicals were suspended in equal volumes of beeswax and tricaprylin, and rats were subcutaneously injected with single doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 microg for 1- and 3-NBP, and of 8, 40, 200, and 1000 microg for 3,6- and 1,6-DNBP, and BP as a positive control. 3,6-DNBP and BP induced tumors in a dose-dependent manner at the injection site. Rats given 1000 microg of 3,6-DNBP (2924 nmol) and BP (3968 nmol) developed subcutaneous tumors at the rate of 70 and 80%, respectively, and those given a minimum dose of 23 nmol for 3.6-DNBP and 32 nmol for BP per rat developed tumors at a rate of 4.8 and 18.2%, respectively. However, rats given 500 and 1000 microg of 1- and 3-NBP did not develop any tumors while those given a high dose, 2000 microg, of each chemical developed tumors at only one of ten animals used. It was concluded, therefore, that these chemicals are weak carcinogens. Histologically, most of the tumors were malignant fibrous histiocytomas. Rats given various doses of 1,6-DNBP did not develop any tumors at the injection site. The failure of 1,6-DNBP to induce tumors may involve its metabolites because of the lower mutagenicity of its reduction products, 1-nitroso-6-NBP and 1-amino-6-NBP. It is suggested, therefore, that tumorigenicities of NBPs and DNBPs differ according to the NO2-substitution on the chemical structure, which may be due to the possible nitroreduction of the chemicals.

• Authors: K Horikawa, N Sera, K Murakami, N Sano, K Izumi, H Tokiwa
• Journal: Toxicology letters (Toxicol Lett) Vol. 98 Issue 1-2 Pg. 51-8 (Sep 01 1998) ISSN: 0378-4274 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 9776561 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Benzopyrenes
• Carcinogens
• 3,6-dinitrobenzopyrene
• Benzo(a)pyrene
• 3-nitrobenzo(a)pyrene
• 1-nitrobenzo(a)pyrene
• 1,6-dinitrobenzo(a)pyrene

Topics

• Animals
• Benzo(a)pyrene (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use, toxicity)
• Benzopyrenes (toxicity)
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Carcinogenicity Tests
• Carcinogens (toxicity)
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred F344
• Skin Neoplasms (chemically induced, pathology)
• Structure-Activity Relationship