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Phenylbutazone, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, elicits therapeutic as well as toxic effects by unknown pathways. Phenylbutazone was shown to form a conjugate with the heterocyclic amine bladder carcinogen 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-thiazole (ANFT). To understand further the reactivity of these compounds, this study was conducted to identify the conjugate formed and determine the mechanism of conjugate formation. Both prostaglandin H synthase and horseradish peroxidase catalyzed conjugate formation. This conjugate was identified by 1H-NMR to be 4-[2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-5-thiazolyl]-4-butyl-1,2-diphenyl-3,5- pyrazolidinedione. Phenylbutazone-mediated oxygen uptake was inhibited by ANFT (0.1 mM) and the spin traps 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (200 mM) and tert-nitrosobutane (4 mM). By contrast, phenol (0.005 to 0.25 mM) and aminopyrine (0.4 mM) stimulated oxygen uptake. None of these agents mediated oxygen uptake in the absence of phenylbutazone. Conjugate formation was significantly increased by phenol (0.005-0.25 mM) and aminopyrine (0.4 mM), as well as in the absence of oxygen. Conjugate formation was inhibited by 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (200 mM), tert-nitrosobutane (4 mM), ascorbic acid (2 mM), and 95% oxygen. Horseradish peroxidase initiated conjugate formation at much lower concentrations than it metabolized ANFT. The stoichiometric relationship between phenylbutazone and ANFT, with respect to conjugate formation, was complex. With the concentration of ANFT fixed at 0.05 mM, phenylbutazone exhibited saturation kinetics with a Km of 0.2 mM. In contrast, saturation kinetics were not observed with ANFT.Km values for ANFT varied with the concentration of phenylbutazone used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1. Oxidative metabolism of the bladder carcinogens FANFT/ANFT was examined in vitro in guinea pig (resistant species) relative to rat (susceptible species). 2. The total rate of ANFT hepatic metabolism by guinea pig (soluble metabolites plus protein bound, 354 pmol/min per mg protein) was approx. 4 times that in rat. 3. The total rate of FANFT metabolism was similar in both species and approx. one-quarter that for ANFT in guinea pig. In rat, the rate of total metabolism of FANFT and ANFT was similar. 4. Cytochrome P450 inhibitors, 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenoxyethylamine, 7,8-benzoflavone, and n-octylamine largely inhibited metabolism in guinea pig, but had little effect in rat. 5. H.p.l.c. analysis of ANFT metabolites indicated distinctly different products in guinea pig compared to rat. 7,8-Benzoflavone decreased metabolite formation by 80% in guinea pig, but only 30% in rat. 6. Flavin-dependent monooxygenases may participate in metabolism of these carcinogens in rat, but not guinea pig. 7. Because ANFT is thought to be a more proximate carcinogen than FANFT, the increased rate of ANFT metabolism and the formation of different products in guinea pig compared to rat may partially explain the resistance of guinea pig to FANFT-induced bladder cancer.

The metabolism and disposition of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT) and 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT) were studied in rat and guinea pig. Rat is susceptible whereas guinea pig is resistant to FANFT-induced bladder cancer. Rats and guinea pigs were p.o. administered either 2-[14C]ANFT or 2-[14C]FANFT (100 mg/kg), and 18-h urine and feces were collected. Tissue distribution of radiolabel was determined. In both species, the highest concentrations of radioactivity expressed as nmol/g tissue were observed in the urine and intestines. Urinary metabolites were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and radioactivity determined by radioanalytical detection. FANFT was not detected in urine from either species under any experimental condition. More ANFT was observed in urine following FANFT than ANFT administration. This deformylation-dependent excretion of FANFT was demonstrated in both species and has been previously described as renal metabolic/excretory coupling. Less ANFT, the carcinogen more proximate than FANFT, is excreted in guinea pigs compared with rats. A unique ANFT metabolite was identified in guinea pig but not rat urine. This metabolite represented 80 and 18% of radioactivity recovered in guinea pig urine following ANFT and FANFT administration, respectively. A metabolite produced by guinea pig liver and kidney microsomes in the presence of uridine-5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid coeluted with this unique metabolite. The urinary metabolite was characterized using hydrolytic enzymes, acid hydrolysis, and mass spectrometry and identified as an ANFT-N-glucuronide. A unique UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase appears to be responsible, at least in part, for the reduced amount of free ANFT excreted by guinea pigs compared with rats. Reduced levels of urinary ANFT observed in guinea pigs may partially explain the resistance of this species to FANFT-induced bladder cancer.

The mechanism of activation of the bladder carcinogen 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT) was investigated by comparison with benzidine. In comparison with benzidine, ANFT has a higher electrochemical potential (approximately 700 mV) and is less effective as a reducing co-substrate for either prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) or horseradish peroxidase. Activation was monitored by measuring binding to protein (BSA) and DNA. ANFT binding to protein was reduced by indomethacin, a fatty acid cyclooxygenase inhibitor; phenol and aminopyrine, competitive reducing co-substrates; ascorbic acid, an antioxidant; and glutathione, thioether conjugate formation. These results are consistent with those previously reported for benzidine and demonstrate a peroxide co-substrate requirement, interaction of peroxidase with amine, formation of reactive intermediates and inactivation of reactive intermediates. 5,5-Dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), a radical trap, also reduced ANFT binding to protein. Similar results were observed whether activation by PHS or horseradish peroxidase was investigated. Peroxidative activation of ANFT and benzidine to bind DNA was inhibited by these test agents in a manner similar to that observed with protein except that DMPO did not reduce binding. In addition, 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane and methyl viologen, which are radical traps, and methionine and p-nitrobenzyl-pyridine, which are strong nucleophiles, did not reduce ANFT or benzidine binding to DNA. These agents also did not prevent binding of benzidinediimine, the two-electron product of benzidine oxidation, to polydeoxyguanosine. Glutathione inhibited diimine binding by forming a conjugate. Results demonstrate that activation of ANFT to bind protein and DNA is similar to benzidine. Peroxidative activation of benzidine occurs by both one- and two-electron oxidation. A similar mechanism would explain ANFT binding to protein (one electron) and DNA (two electron).

An in vivo urinary metabolite of the bladder carcinogen 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl) thiazole was isolated from guinea pig urine and was identified by direct analysis using thermospray mass spectrometry/high-performance liquid chromatography as 1-(2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl)-1-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyran uronic acid. The structure of this metabolite was also established by chemical synthesis. Both positive and negative ion thermospray mass spectrometry of the conjugate showed fragment ions resulting from cleavage across the pyran ring of the glucuronic acid comprising of aglycone moiety. These characteristic fragment ions may be diagnostic for identification of N-glucuronides from O-glucuronides.

Aromatic and heterocyclic amines are environmental chemicals which can cause bladder cancer in man. Because these chemicals cause carcinomas at a site distal to their portals of entry, metabolic processes are involved in initiation of their carcinogenic effects. N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT) and its deformylated analogue, ANFT, were used as model compounds to assess metabolism. Electrochemical properties of ANFT made liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection a specific and sensitive method for analysis. Peroxidatic metabolism of ANFT by prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) in the presence of N-acetylcysteine resulted in the formation of 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-5-(N-acetylcystein-S-yl)thiazole (ANFT-MA). This thioether product has an oxidation potential significantly lower than ANFT. Rat urinary excretion of ANFT-MA was significantly decreased with peroxidase inhibitors, 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil and methimazole. Inhibitors did not alter excretion of ANFT or prostaglandin E2, a PHS product of arachidonic acid metabolism. 1H and 13C-NMR were selected to explore potential structural differences between ANFT and FANFT which might explain preferential PHS metabolism of ANFT. Evidence for a "zwitterion" configuration for ANFT but not FANFT was observed. ANFT in the "zwitterion" configuration would be a better reducing co-substrate. Chemical synthesis and GC-MS fragmentation patterns identified 3-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)pyridine as a peroxidatic product of nicotine metabolism. This peroxidatic product was found in urine from a cigarette smoker in an amount approximately 6% that observed for continine. Thus, a potential rôle for peroxidative metabolism was demonstrated in man.

Prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) and horseradish peroxidase catalyze the oxidation of benzidine to the same free radical species. No radical was observed if either benzidine, H2O2 or enzyme was omitted. The similarity of the fine structure of this radical to a computer-simulated model suggests the presence of a free cation radical of benzidine. Neither superoxide nor hydroxyl radicals appear to be involved in the co-oxidation of benzidine or 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-thiazole (ANFT) by PHS. Production of the benzidine radical by PHS was inhibited by ANFT, acetaminophen, cyanide and ascorbate. ANFT was metabolized by PHS but not by horseradish peroxidase. ANFT had no effect on either radical production or 14C-metabolism of benzidine by horseradish peroxidase. These results indicate that different peroxidases may exhibit specificity with respect to the carcinogens they activate. The free radical cation of benzidine may be the electrophilic intermediate responsible for PHS-catalyzed binding of benzidine to protein and nucleic acids.

The electron ionization mass spectra of 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole metabolites obtained from microsomal incubations and chemical syntheses were studied. The identities of the metabolites were established by chemical ionization, high resolution, and metastable measurements. The compounds studied showed multiple modes of cleavage, skeletal rearrangements and hydrogen back-transfer.

To investigate the binding of a nitrofuran to tissue macromolecules in vivo, the urinary bladder carcinogen N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)- 2-[35S]thiazolyl]formamide [[35S]FANFT; 94 mCi/mmol] was given p.o. to conventional [n = 4; 115 +/- 8 g (S.D.)] and germfree [n = 4; 105 + 5 g] female CD rats [1.23 mCi/rat]. After 18 hr, organs were removed, and macromolecules were then isolated from individual livers and kidneys and from pooled urinary bladders. A hydroxylapatite isolation procedure was followed (Beland et al., J. Chromatogr., 174: 177-186, 1979), and the nucleic acids obtained were further purified by digestion with appropriate nucleases and/or centrifugation (105,000 X g). The results are as follows and are given in pairs (conventional/germ-free) expressed as pmol FANFT bound per mg macromolecule. Protein binding levels were: liver, 165 +/- 40/307 +/- 31; kidney, 72 +/- 19/88 +/- 24; bladder, 272/322. RNA levels were: liver, 217 +/- 184/413 +/- 196; kidney, 219 +/- 60/617 +/- 196; bladder, 448/1373. DNA levels were: liver, 9.8 +/- 7.5/17.0 +/- 7.5; kidney, 0.69 +/- 0.38/4.5 +/- 1.0. The quantity of bladder DNA was insufficient for accurate measurement. Diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography of liver RNA from a germfree rat, either before or after RNase digestion, showed that the majority of the radioactivity was associated with a polynucleotide fraction that appeared to be RNase resistant and accounted for only a small portion of the total RNA but that also permitted the intercalation of ethidium bromide. The deformylated FANFT metabolite, 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-fury)thiazole, reacted with transfer RNA upon reduction with sodium dithionite in vitro to give adduct(s) that also appeared to be RNase resistant. Thus, these results show that the urinary bladder carcinogen FANFT or its metabolites react in vivo with protein and nucleic acid of both target and nontarget organs and that binding levels are elevated in germfree rats.

The biotransformation of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT), a potent urinary bladder carcinogen, was studied in mice. About 82% of radioactivity was excreted as 14CO2 within 36 hr after intragastric administration of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]-[14C]formamide, suggesting its deformylation to 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole ( ANFT ). The latter was formed in vitro as a product following incubation of FANFT with mouse liver homogenates. Chromatographic analysis of mouse urine obtained 24 hr after the i.p. administration of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-[2-14C]thiazolyl]formamide revealed excretion of ANFT and unmetabolized FANFT, suggesting the prevalence of the deformylation reaction in vivo. In addition, at least two more metabolites were present in urine. One of these metabolites exhibited chromatographic properties similar to those exhibited by a compound derived from the in vitro nitroreduction of ANFT . This metabolite was isolated from urine of FANFT-fed animals and from in vitro enzymatic reduction of ANFT with mouse liver homogenates. The isolated products had chromatographic and spectral properties and a mass spectral fragmentation pattern similar to that of a compound obtained by catalytic reduction of ANFT with palladium and activated carbon. Spectroscopic analyses established the structural identity of the chemical reduction product as 1-[4-(2-aminothiazolyl)]-3-cyano-1-propanone ( ATCP ). Since the chromatographic properties of the enzymatically derived product and the urinary metabolite were identical to those of a compound obtained by chemical reduction, they must be structurally the same and thus correspond to ATCP . About 5% of the urinary metabolites of FANFT is ATCP , and thus ATCP is quantitatively a minor excretory product. ATCP was far less active than was ANFT of FANFT in the Ames mutagenicity assay with Salmonella typhimurium TA.

The chemical synthesis of 4-(5-amino-2-furyl)thiazole (AFT) and its formation during the in vitro reductive metabolism of 4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (NFT) by rat liver tissues on anaerobic incubation with NADPH were examined. AFT was synthesized by catalytic reduction of NFT with 5% palladium on activated carbon. Purified AFT, a pale yellow powder, melted at 105 degrees C and had an extinction coefficient of 16.3 mM-1 cm-1 at 297 nm in methanol. The proton n.m.r. spectrum, i.r. and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. Analysis of the ethyl acetate extract, following incubation of NFT with rat liver tissue preparations, revealed a metabolite whose chromatographic and mass spectral characteristics were the same as those obtained with synthetic AFT, thus establishing the structural identity of the metabolite as AFT. These data show that AFT is formed on reduction and could act as a precursor for the formation of 1-(4-thiazolyl)-3-cyano-1-propanone as postulated earlier.

Effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors DL-4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro-20) and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX) on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis were examined using rabbit renal inner medullary slices incubated in Krebs' buffer with or without 1 mM RO-20 or 2 mM MIX. Basal and bradykinin-mediated PGE2 synthesis were inhibited in a dose-dependent, reversible manner by both RO-20 and MIX. Arachidonic acid-mediated increases in PGE2 synthesis were not inhibited. By contrast, 1 mM aspirin completely inhibited PGE2 synthesis. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors increased slice cyclic AMP content more than 6-fold. However, this elevation in tissue cyclic AMP content did not appear to be the cause of decreased PGE2 synthesis. Exogenous 3 mM cyclic AMP and 3 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP did not alter PGE2 synthesis. 2',5'-Dideoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, prevented RO-20 and MIX-mediated increases in cyclic AMP but had no effect on PGE2 synthesis. Exogenous 3 mM cyclic GMP and dibutyryl cyclic GMP did not alter PGE2 synthesis. Neither RO-20 nor MIX had a direct effect on PG endoperoxide synthetase. These results indicate MIX and RO-20 inhibit renal medullary PGE2 production by limiting the availability of arachidonic acid. These effects of MIX and RO-20 on PGE2 synthesis are not secondary to their effects on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

Bioconversion and binding of 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-thiazole (ANFT) were examined using cultured rat bladder epithelial cells from weanling male F344 rats. Bladder cells were obtained in large quantities from outgrowths of dissected explants which were grown on collagen gels. Metabolic potential of rat urothelial cells to activate ANFT was evaluated by incubating primary culture cells with [2-14C]ANFT for 48 hr. Metabolites were subsequently analyzed by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Thin-layer chromatography of the ethyl acetate:diethyl ether (1:1, v/v) extract of the culture medium revealed two regions of radioactivity with Rf values of 0.12 and 0.60, the former corresponding to ANFT and the latter to one of its metabolites. High-pressure liquid chromatography of the solvent extract revealed two major peaks, with retention times of about 4 and 9 min, corresponding with the metabolite and ANFT, respectively. Low-resolution mass spectrum of the isolated metabolite showed a molecular ion at m/e 181. The metabolite was identified as 1-[4-(2-aminothiazolyl)]-3-cyano-1-propanone based on its chromatographic and spectral characteristics in comparison with the synthetic compound. About 24% of the recovered radioactivity from the culture medium was extractable into the organic phase, a majority of which was identified as 1-[4-(2-aminothiazolyl)]-3-cyano-1-propanone. Analysis of binding to proteins and nucleic acids prepared following exposure of [2-14C]ANFT revealed a 15- and 9-fold greater amount of binding, respectively, in cultures incubated with bladder cells than their corresponding heat-inactivated controls. Furthermore, homogenates of cultured bladder cells reduced ANFT on anaerobic incubation with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate to generate 1-[4-(2-aminothiazolyl)]-3-cyano-1-propanone. On reduction of [2-14C]ANFT with rat bladder or liver homogenates, about 23 and 11%, respectively, of the initial amounts of radioactivity were bound to the trichloracetic acid-insoluble fraction. These data demonstrate that rat bladder cells possess the metabolic capability to reduce ANFT and to generate reactive intermediate(s) that bind to cellular macromolecules.

Certain 2-aminothiazole-substituted 5-nitrofuran carcinogens specifically and potently induce tumors of the urinary tract. Cooxidation by the hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) has been implicated in the initiation of this process in vivo. The molecular mechanism of this process was examined utilizing 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT) as the organic cosubstrate. The ability of ANFT to release electrons was determined by cyclic voltammetry, which established that ANFT is oxidized to yield an extremely reactive intermediate by an apparent one-electron mechanism. In conventional incubations containing solubilized microsomal PHS at pH 7.8, glutathione was found to trap approximately 50% of the ANFT present as a soluble metabolite. Comparative u.v. spectrophotometry, cyclic voltammetry, proton and carbon magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and chemical synthesis established that conjugate formation occurs by S-substitution of the thiazole ring to yield 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-5-(glutathion-S-yl)thiazole. The 5-nitrofuran ring is not altered by this pathway. This suggests that PHS may oxidize the aminothiazole ring of ANFT by direct electron withdrawal to generate a reactive electrophilic intermediate which may react with critical cellular nucleophiles. This conjugate, or a further metabolite thereof, may be a biologic marker of PHS activity and may be useful in assessing the effects of potential chemoprotective agents on hydroperoxidase activity in vivo.

Metabolism of 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT) by a variety of different peroxidases was examined. Metabolism of ANFT was measured by the binding of radiolabeled substrates to protein and DNA. Prostaglandin hydroperoxidase but not horseradish peroxidase, lactoperoxidase, or chloroperoxidase metabolically activated ANFT. All four peroxidases catalyzed the binding of benzidine to protein and DNA. With peroxide substrates, peroxidase-catalyzed binding of both carcinogens was observed with or without molecular oxygen. Arachidonic acid-dependent binding of ANFT and benzidine by prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase was inhibited by anaerobic conditions and aspirin. Chloroperoxidase activation of benzidine was also inhibited by aspirin. Vitamin E inhibited activation of both carcinogens by all enzymes examined. Prostaglandin hydroperoxidase-catalyzed binding of benzidine to protein was inhibited by the 5-nitrofurans ANFT and 3-hydroxymethyl-1-(([3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)allydidene] amino))hydantoin and acetaminophen, while only acetaminophen inhibited horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed binding. These results indicate that different peroxidases may exhibit specificity with respect to their activation of carcinogens. Only prostaglandin hydroperoxidase activated the 5-nitrofuran ANFT, while a number of peroxidases activated the aromatic amine benzidine.

The effects of aspirin on N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]-formamide (FANFT) -induced urinary bladder lesions, endogenous bladder prostaglandin E2 synthesis, and the metabolism of FANFT by bladder epithelial microsomes were examined. Rats were fed 0.5% aspirin and/or a diet containing 0.1% or 0.2% FANFT. Bladder lesions were observed with light and scanning electron microscopy, and the prostaglandin E2 content of rat bladder was measured by radioimmunoassay. Metabolism of FANFT was measured by decreased absorbance at 400 nm. Aspirin inhibited the appearance of hyperplastic lesions induced by feeding 0.1% or 0.2% FANFT for 6 or 12 weeks. Aspirin reduced bladder prostaglandin E2 content at 1, 2, 6, and 13 weeks compared to corresponding control values. Rat and rabbit microsomal metabolism of FANFT were dependent upon specific fatty acid substrate and prevented by specific inhibitors (including aspirin) of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase. Other inhibitor and substrate specificity studies suggest that FANFT was not metabolized by xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, lipid peroxidation, or mixed-function oxidases. These results suggest that the metabolism of FANFT by prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase may be involved in the metabolic activation of FANFT necessary for the induction of bladder cancer in rats.

When Escherichia coli were incubated with the strong mutagen 2[14C]2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2 furyl)-thiazole (ANFT) radioactivity became tightly and presumably covalently bound to DNA. Hydrolysis of the DNA with nucleases yielded low molecular weight radioactive material. The bound radioactivity was associated with at least two functionally and chemically distinct adducts. One of these was rapidly removed in uvr+ E. coli while the other was more persistent. Analysis of enzymatic hydrolysates on a Dowex AG 50W-X4 column showed that the 'excisable adducts' were chromatographically different from most of the persistent ones. ANFT caused daughter-strand gaps when the DNA of treated cells was replicated, provided this DNA contained excisable adducts. In situations where removal of these adducts was complete no gaps were found in newly synthesized DNA. 3-[14C]2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl) acrylamide (AF2) (another strongly mutagenic nitrofuran) became bound to the DNA of E. coli WP2 uvrA to a slightly greater extent than did [14C]ANFT. In contrast, [14C]nitrofurazone (the semicarbazide of 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde) a much weaker mutagen, gave considerably less binding. With AF2 and ANFT there was roughly the same relation between the amount of adduct formed and the subsequent yield of daughter strand gaps when the DNA replicated while with nitrofurazone the yield of gaps per adduct was somewhat lower. Incubation in vitro of [14C]ANFT with DNA in the presence of an E. coli nitrofuran reductase preparation also resulted in the binding of 14C to DNA.

Peroxidase metabolism of 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro metabolism of ANFT was characteristic of the hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin H synthase. The peroxidase inhibitors, 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil and methimazole, significantly reduced ANFT binding to trichloroacetic acid precipitable material and glutathione conjugate formation. Isolated perfused kidneys rapidly converted the glutathione conjugate to its corresponding mercapturic acid (ANFT-MA). With both radiochemical and electrochemical techniques, ANFT-MA was identified in the urine of rats given N-[14C]-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide, the carcinogenic N-formyl analogue of ANFT. ANFT was the major urinary metabolite with N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide not detected. A 30-min pretreatment with 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil and methimazole significantly reduced urinary excretion of ANFT-MA in rats given N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (150 mg/kg) from 14.8 +/- 2.1 (SE) to 7.9 +/- 0.8 and 6.2 +/- 1.1 nmol/18 h, respectively. Peroxidase inhibitor pretreatment did not alter the excretion of ANFT or prostaglandin E2. These results provide further in vitro and in vivo support for the involvement of peroxidases, i.e., the hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin H synthase, in ANFT metabolism.

Understanding the role of prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) in the carcinogenic process and the metabolic steps involved in the activation of carcinogens will facilitate experiments using pharmacological agents to prevent carcinogenesis. This study assesses the relative amounts of PHS-catalyzed binding of the urinary tract carcinogens [2-14C]-N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl] formamide (FANFT) and [2-14C]-2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl) thiazole (ANFT). Binding to protein and nucleic acid was assessed using PHS prepared from ram seminal vesicle, dog bladder transitional epithelium and rabbit renal inner medulla. PHS-catalyzed binding of ANFT was significantly greater than FANFT in each tissue. Substrate and inhibitor experiments were consistent with the prostaglandin hydroperoxidase activity of PHS catalyzing the binding of FANFT and ANFT. Oxygen was required for metabolism with arachidonic acid but not with peroxide as cosubstrate. The amount of PHS-catalyzed ANFT binding to protein was at least 4-fold greater than FANFT. Whereas a significant amount of FANFT was bound to protein, no FANFT binding to DNA could be detected. By contrast, PHS catalyzed the binding of ANFT to both protein and DNA. A PHS-catalyzed metabolite of ANFT was tentatively identified as the 4-keto analog by mass spectral analysis. The lower rate of PHS-catalyzed metabolism of FANFT compared to ANFT and the lack of detectable FANFT binding to DNA suggest that the metabolic steps involved in the initiation of FANFT-induced bladder cancer include 1) deformylation of FANFT to ANFT, 2) PHS-catalyzed activation of ANFT and 3) binding of an activated ANFT metabolite(s) to DNA.

Reductive metabolism of the aromatic nitro group of 5-nitrofurans is thought to be an important step in the mechanism of their toxicity. Microsomal nitroreductase activity with p-nitrobenzoic acid and N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl[formamide (FANFT) as substrates was assessed in the renal cortex, outer medulla, inner medulla, bladder transitional epithelial and non-epithelial bladder tissue. Cortex and transitional epithelial tissue contained the most p-nitrobenzoic acid reductase activity. However, FANFT reductase activity was similar in all areas tested except nonepithelial bladder tissue, which was 10% of the others. FANFT reduction was inhibited by oxygen, but not by carbon monoxide, allopurinol or aspirin and required NADPH. These results are consistent with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase catalyzed FANFT reduction. In medullary microsomes, the apparent Km and Vmax were 0.125 mM and 0.84 nmol/mg of protein per min, respectively. Transitional epithelial microsomes incorporated approximately 1 and 10% of the total [2-14C]FANFT metabolized into t-RNA and trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material, respectively. Two products of FANFT reduction were demonstrated by high-pressure liquid chromatography. One product was reversibly oxidized to FANFT and the other was tentatively identified by mass spectral analysis as an open chain nitrile. In view of the relatively low oxygen tension in the renal inner medulla and bladder mucosa, these results suggest that medullary and transitional epithelial nitro-reductases may be involved in the pathogenesis of 5-nitrofuran toxicity.

The renal cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla exhibit different profiles of drug metabolism. Mixed-function oxidase activity was present in cortex but not inner medulla. Cooxidation by prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase was detected in inner medulla but not cortex. Both mixed-function oxidase and cooxidation were demonstrable in outer medulla. Urinary bladder carcinogens such as FANFT and benzidine and the renal carcinogen diethylstilbestrol were cooxidized by prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase. Cooxidation could be a mechanism of activation of urinary bladder carcinogens and of nephrotoxic agents.

It has been demonstrated that N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide (NFTA), when fed with the diet, causes transitional carcinomas in rats. An important step in the mechanism of NFTA-induced carcinogenesis is endogenous metabolic activation to an ultimate carcinogen. We have proposed that the enzyme complex prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) is involved in the activation of certain renal and urinary tract carcinogens. This proposal was assessed by examining the activation of the 5-nitrofuran renal carcinogen NFTA and its deacetylated analogue 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT) by PHS. Ram seminal vesicular and rabbit renal inner medullary microsomes were used as a source of PHS. Both NFTA and ANFT were activated by PHS to bind microsomal protein. Both microsomal preparations activated ANFT to bind DNA. However, only ram seminal vesicular microsomes activated NFTA to bind DNA. The rate of ANFT binding to macromolecules was considerably greater than NFTA with both microsomal preparations. Although activated ANFT was shown to bind several different homopolynucleotides, a preference for binding polyguanylic acid was demonstrated. Glutathione inhibition of carcinogen binding to macromolecules was shown to be due to the formation of a thioether conjugate. Deacetylation of NFTA was demonstrated in both tissues with deacetylation significantly exceeding acetylation of ANFT to NFTA in the kidney. Thus, renal PHS activation of both NFTA and ANFT was demonstrated with the rate of ANFT activation being considerably greater than NFTA. The conversion of NFTA to ANFT by intact tissue suggests that ANFT may contribute to NFTA renal carcinogenesis.

Cooxidative metabolism of the urinary bladder carcinogen N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT) was examined using solubilized and particulate microsomal preparations from the rabbit renal inner medulla and the ram seminal vesicle. Metabolism was measured by the rate of decrease in absorbance at 400 nm. In these soluble and particulate preparations, FANFT metabolism was observed only in the presence of specific fatty acids. These fatty acids are substrates for prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase. Structurally dissimilar inhibitors of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase such as indomethacin, aspirin, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, ethoxyquin, and meclofenamic acid specifically inhibited FANFT metabolism. Other inhibitor and substrate specificity studies suggest that FANFT was not metabolized by nitroreductase, xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, lipid peroxidation, or mixed-function oxidases. In addition, the lack of detectable 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole formation suggests that arylformamidase was not participating in FANFT metabolism measured in these experiments. The data indicate that prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase can mediate FANFT metabolism by a cooxidative process.

Prostaglandin hydroperoxide-mediated metabolism and binding of 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl) [14C]thiazole ([14C]ANFT) metabolite to nucleic acids and proteins were investigated with rabbit bladder transitional epithelial and solubilized ram seminal vesicle microsomes. Metabolism was assessed by spectrophotometric and radiochemical techniques. Substrate and inhibitor studies are consistent with both metabolism and binding of [14C]ANFT occurring by the prostaglandin hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase. The ratio of the rates of [14C]ANFT product formation is approximately 3:7:10 (organic soluble:non-trichloroacetic acid precipitable: trichloroacetic acid precipitable) over a wide range of arachidonic acid concentrations. Approximately 2 and 1% of the total [14C]ANFT metabolized binds to transfer RNA and DNA, respectively. The metabolite isolated from the organic phase had a chromatographic profile and ultraviolet spectra different from authentic ANFT. If transfer RNA or DNA is added at the end of a 5-min incubation, no binding to nucleic acids was observed. The demonstration of prostaglandin hydroperoxidase-mediated covalent binding to nucleic acids is consistent with the involvement of this enzyme in 5-nitrofuran-induced bladder carcinogenesis.

The anaerobic reductive metabolism of the urinary tract carcinogen 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-[2-14C]-thiazole ([14C]ANFT) was examined in vitro using rabbit liver and kidney microsomes. The intermediate(s) produced during the reduction binds to tRNA, DNA, and protein. ANFT reduction was inhibited by oxygen, required NADPH and was not inhibited by SKF-525A or allopurinol. No binding to tRNA or DNA was observed if the nucleic acids were added at the end of the incubation. The covalent binding of an ANFT metabolite(s) to nucleic acids and protein was inhibited by the antioxidants vitamin E and butylated hydroxytoluene. The stoichiometry of microsomal reduction shows 3 mol of NADPH were used/mol of ANFT reduced. In inner medullary microsomes, the apparent Km and Vmax were 0.05 mM and 0.92 nmol/mg/min, respectively. Two metabolites from the anaerobic incubation of ANFT were isolated. The metabolites were tentatively identified as 1-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-3-cyano-1-propanone and 2-amino-4-(5-hydroxyl-amino-2-furyl)thiazole.

Nitrofurothiazoles such as 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl) thiazole (ANFT) and N-formylated ANFT (FANFT) are model compounds used in the study of chemical carcinogenesis. FANFT is a more potent uroepithelial carcinogen than ANFT but previous studies have shown extensive deformylation of FANFT to ANFT in vivo and ANFT to be the putative proximate carcinogen. To investigate this paradox, disposition of radiolabeled FANFT and ANFT was determined in rats prepared for clearance experiments. After 2 hr, 27.3 +/- 2.1% of recovered ANFT was excreted in urine compared to 44.2 +/- 1.8% of FANFT (P less than .001). In addition, approximately 20% of both FANFT and ANFT were excreted in bile after 2 hr. The disposition of nonradiolabeled FANFT and ANFT was also determined. The urinary excretion rate for ANFT with i.v. ANFT administration was 0.9 +/- 0.1 nmol/min. Following i.v. FANFT administration, the urinary excretion rate for ANFT was 49.7 +/- 8.6 nmol/min (P less than .001). The elimination half-lives were 23 +/- 3 and less than 5 min, for ANFT and FANFT, respectively. The differences in renal handling of ANFT and FANFT could not be accounted for by differences in protein binding. Large differences were found in urinary metabolite excretion between FANFT and ANFT administration. These results demonstrate deformylation dependent excretion (renal metabolic/excretory coupling) exists for FANFT resulting in much higher concentrations of ANFT reaching the urinary tract than when ANFT only is administered. Biliary excretion accounts for significant early clearance of both ANFT and FANFT. Renal metabolic/excretory coupling may explain the difference in uroepithelial carcinogenicity between FANFT and ANFT.

Rats concomitantly fed N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl] formamide (FANFT) and phenothiazine, or concomitantly fed FANFT and Glucaron then fed Glucaron alone had significantly greater incidences of transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder than rats fed FANFT alone. Caffeine and cysteamine did not affect FANFT bladder carcinogenesis. Phenothiazine induced nitroreductase activity of hepatic microsomes.

The antithyroid drugs propylthiouracil and methimazole exert their effects on the thyroid gland by inhibiting thyroid peroxidase. In addition to this effect, these drugs have been reported to inhibit prostaglandin production in both the thyroid gland and the kidney. The purpose of our studies was to evaluate the mechanism of the effects of these drugs on prostaglandin production. Both propylthiouracil and methimazole reversibly inhibited prostaglandin E2 production in both inner medullary slices and isolated renal papillary collecting tubule cells. The inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced increases in PGE2 production indicated that the effects of methimazole and propylthiouracil were on the enzyme complex prostaglandin H synthase, and not on the phospholipase mechanisms responsible for the release of arachidonic acid from tissue phospholipids. Propylthiouracil inhibited both arachidonic acid and hydrogen peroxide-dependent binding of 14C-N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide to protein, indicating that the effect of propylthiouracil is on the hydroperoxidase and not on the cyclooxygenase component of prostaglandin H synthase. Our data also indicate the potential of the antithyroid drugs for inhibition of metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics by prostaglandin H synthase. Metabolism of both methimazole and propylthiouracil by the hydroperoxidase component of prostaglandin H synthase was demonstrated. It is proposed that this interaction with the hydroperoxidase component of prostaglandin H synthase is at least in part the mechanism by which propylthiouracil and methimazole inhibit prostaglandin production. The inhibition of tissue peroxidase provides these agents with the capability to prevent the peroxidatic metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics.

Co-oxidative metabolism of ANFT by either the fatty acid cyclo-oxygenase or hydroperoxidase activities of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase was examined by using solubilized and particulate microsomes prepared from rabbit renal inner medulla and ram seminal vesicles. The rate of metabolism was measured by the decrease in absorbance at 385 nm. In both soluble and particulate preparations, ANFT metabolism was dependent upon specific fatty acid substrates and prevented by specific inhibitors of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase. Other inhibitor and substrate specificity studies suggest that ANFT was not metabolized by xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, lipid peroxidation, or mixed-function oxidases. Under incubation conditions which demonstrated co-oxidation of ANFT, a metabolite (peak I) was observed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. In the presence of indomethacin, peak I was not present, and only authentic ANFT was observed. Co-oxidation of ANFT was also observed with cumene hydroperoxide. Cumene hydroperoxide-mediated co-oxidation was not prevented by indomethacin or SKF-525A but was blocked by the antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene, ethoxyquin, and vitamin E. The data indicate that ANFT is metabolized by a co-oxidative process involving the prostaglandin hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase.