Background: Trans-2-hexenal (2-hexenal) is an alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compound protecting plants against harmful substances. Since humans have a permanent intake of 2-hexenal via vegetable products, this genotoxic and mutagenic compound is considered to play a role in human carcinogenicity.
Materials and methods: Ha-ras and p53 gene expression changes and tumor development were investigated in mice and rats after 2-hexenal administration.
Results: 2-Hexenal exposure did not result in gene expression alterations 24, 48 or 72 hours after administration while 10 out of the 72 mice and rats included in the long-term study developed a malignancy by the end of the 18-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that, although 2-hexenal showed no effect on the expression of the investigated onco- and suppressor genes, it has a marked carcinogenic potential, which may be explained only by an epigenetic effect of the compound.