Comparative tumorigenicity of nitrochrysene isomers in newborn mice

Carcinogenesis. 1992 Dec;13(12):2271-5. doi: 10.1093/carcin/13.12.2271.

Abstract

6-Nitrochrysene (6-NC) is a potent lung and liver carcinogen in the newborn mouse assay. In this report, we extended our studies of the structure--tumorigenicity relationships of the mononitrochrysene isomers. We synthesized 1-NC, 2-NC and 3-NC by oxidation of the corresponding aminochrysenes with mCPBA; efforts to synthesize 4-NC and 5-NC from 4- and 5-aminochrysene were not successful. The tumorigenic activities of 1-NC, 2-NC, 3-NC and 6-NC were compared. Groups of mice were treated with the appropriate compounds in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) by i.p. injection on the 1st, 8th and 15th day of life. At a total dose of 100 nmol/mouse, 6-NC induced significant incidences and multiplicities of lung tumors in mice in both sexes; only males were susceptible to liver tumor induction. At 100 nmol/mouse, induction of lung and liver tumors by 1-NC, 2-NC and 3-NC was not significantly different from that observed in mice treated with DMSO. The results indicate that nitro substitution at the 6-position of chrysene is critical for strong tumorigenicity in the newborn mouse assay.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Carcinogens / toxicity*
  • Chrysenes / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Isomerism
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Lung Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Chrysenes
  • 6-nitrochrysene