Cell proliferation and DNA adducts in hamster tracheal epithelium exposed to benzo[a]pyrene in organ culture.
The effect of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on cell proliferation in cultured hamster tracheal epithelium was studied in relation to the formation of B[a]P-DNA adducts. To this end, tracheae were isolated from Syrian golden hamsters, cut into rings and cultured in Ham's F12 medium. Then, the tracheal rings were exposed to 2 or 20 mumB[a]P, either continuously for 7 days or for 2 days followed by a 5-day recovery period without B[a]P. At intervals rings were sampled for determination of cell proliferation (by means of the labelling index). In addition, B[a]P-DNA adduct levels were determined in the continuous exposure experiment by means of in situ detection by immunofluorescence microscopy. After 2 days of exposure to 2 or 20 mum B[a]P, there was a significant increase in B[a]P-DNA adduct level. A further, linear increase in B[a]P-DNA adduct level, however, was only observed after continuous exposure to 20 mum B[a]P, whereas the adduct level in the 2 mum continuous exposure group remained virtually the same. In unexposed tracheal epithelium an initial peak of cell proliferation was observed. This initial proliferation was significantly lower in the exposed samples. Only continuous exposure to 20 mum B[a]P steadily decreased the labelling index from day 2 to 7. It is concluded that the increase in B[a]P-DNA adduct level is correlated with the reduction of cell proliferation in hamster tracheal epithelium exposed to B[a]P in Ham's F12 medium.
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TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute, Toxicology Division, PO Box 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands.
Wolterbeek
A P
AP
Van Den Berg
P T
PT
Rutten
A A
AA
Feron
V J
VJ
Baan
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RA