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Mechanistic study on flumequine hepatocarcinogenicity focusing on DNA damage in mice

Yoko Kashida1, Yu F Sasaki, Koh-ichi Ohsawa

  • 1Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

Insights

Flumequine (FL) initiates liver tumors in mice by causing DNA strand breaks. This DNA damage was observed in multiple organs and linked to FL

Area of Science:

  • Hepatocarcinogenesis Research
  • Genotoxicity Studies
  • Drug Safety Evaluation

Background:

  • Flumequine (FL) is an antibiotic with potential tumor-initiating properties.
  • Understanding the genotoxic and carcinogenic mechanisms of FL is crucial for drug safety.
  • Previous studies have not fully elucidated FL's tumor-initiating potential in the liver.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the tumor-initiating potential of flumequine (FL) in the liver.
  • To evaluate FL's capacity to induce DNA damage in various tissues.
  • To determine the mechanism by which FL may initiate liver tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Male C3H mice were administered FL and D-galactosamine (Gal), with or without phenobarbital (PB), to assess liver tumor initiation and promotion.
  • Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) was used to evaluate FL-induced DNA damage in adult, infant, and regenerating mouse livers, as well as other tissues.
  • In vitro assays assessed FL's inhibitory effects on eukaryotic topoisomerase II and bacterial gyrase.

Main Results:

  • Hepatocellular foci, indicative of tumor initiation, were observed in mice exposed to FL and tumor promoters.
  • FL induced dose-dependent DNA strand breaks in the stomach, colon, and urinary bladder of adult mice.
  • DNA damage was also detected in the regenerating liver and infant mouse livers, and FL showed higher inhibition of eukaryotic topoisomerase II than bacterial gyrase.

Conclusions:

  • Flumequine (FL) demonstrates tumor-initiating potential in mouse livers.
  • FL's hepatocarcinogenicity is attributed to its ability to induce DNA strand breaks.
  • The findings highlight the genotoxic risk associated with flumequine exposure.

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