AFLATOXIN B-1-INDUCED 8-HYDROXYDEOXYGUANOSINE FORMATION IN RAT HEPATIC DNA

A time- and dose-dependent increase in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was observed in rat hepatic DNA after a single i.p. injection of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)). It was also found that pre-treatment with selenium or deferoxamine significantly reduced 8-OHdG level in AFB(1)-administered rats. In contrast, no reduction in 8-OHdG concentration was found in vitamin E-pre-treated rats. These results provide evidence that AFB(1) causes oxidative DNA damage in rat liver, which may involve hydroxyl radicals as the initiating species. It is postulated that AFB(1)-induced oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG formation) may constitute an important pathway in AFB(1) hepatocarcinogenesis.