Comparison of DNA adduct levels associated with exogenous and endogenous exposures in human pancreas in relation to metabolic genotype

Recently, we examined normal human pancreas tissue for DNA adducts derived from either exogenous chemical exposure and/or endogenous agents. In an effort to explain the different types and levels of DNA adducts formed in the context of individual susceptibility to cancer, we have focused on gene-environment interactions. Here, we report on the levels of hydrophobic aromatic amines (AAs), specifically those derived from 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), and DNA adducts associated with oxidative stress in human pancreas. Although these adducts have been reported in several human tissues by different laboratories, a comparison of the levels of these adducts in the same tissue samples has not been performed. Using the same DNA, the genotypes were determined for N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), the glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, GSTP1, GSTT1, and NAD(P)H quinone reductase-1 (NQO₁) as possible modulators of adduct levels because their gene products are involved in the detoxification of AAs, lipid peroxidation products and in redox cycling. These results indicate that ABP-DNA adducts, malondialdehyde-DNA adducts, and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) adducts are present at similar levels. Of the metabolic genotypes examined, the presence of ABP-DNA adducts was strongly associated with the putative slow NAT1*4/*4 genotype, suggesting a role for this pathway in ABP detoxification. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.