The Effect of 7 H -Dibenzo[ c,g ]carbazole and Benzo[ a ]pyrene Mixture on DNA Adduct Formation in Strain A/J Mouse Model: Preliminary Report

Complex mixtures consist of homocyclic and heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) represented by benzo[ a ]pyrene (B a P) and 7 H -dibenzo[ c,g ]carbazole (DBC), respectively. To exert their biological effects, PACs are metabolized into reactive intermediates, which can form DNA adducts. In this preliminary report, male A/J mice were given a single intraperitoneal injection. Groups of three animals were treated with DBC (2 or 10 mg/kg) or B a P (10 or 100 mg/kg). Mixtures of DBC:B a P were given at doses of 2:10, 2:100, 10:10, or 10:100 mg/kg. DNA adduct levels in lungs collected three days posttreatment were determined by the 32 P-postlabeling method. The results indicate that, in the lungs, exposure to mixtures containing more B a P than DBC resulted in the absence of adduct 3 (DBC) and significantly higher total adduct levels. This suggests that B a P is being preferentially metabolized, resulting in less DBC adduction.