Benzo(alpha)pyrene metabolism and DNA-binding in cultured explants of human bronchus and in monolayer cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells treated with ellagic acid.
Ellagic acid, a plant phenolic compound present in certain foods eaten by humans, has been reported to possess antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. To evaluate the potential anticarcinogenic effect of ellagic acid in humans, we investigated the effect of nontoxic concentrations of ellagic acid on the metabolism of benzo(alpha)pyrene and binding of benzo(alpha)pyrene metabolites to DNA in cultured explants of human bronchus and in human bronchial epithelial cell cultures. Ellagic acid at concentrations of 10, 25, or 50 microM did not significantly alter the metabolism of benzo(alpha)pyrene in the bronchial explant cultures and in only one of four bronchial cell cultures. However, binding of metabolites of benzo(alpha)pyrene to DNA was inhibited in all explant and cell cultures of human bronchus by 26 to 77%. These results support the work of other investigators and suggest that ellagic acid may be an inhibitor of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced carcinogenesis in humans.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000378:metabolism*; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D014316:Tritium
D001578:Benzopyrans; D014316:Tritium; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D004247:DNA