FORMATION OF DNA-ADDUCTS IN HUMAN BUCCAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS EXPOSED TO ACETALDEHYDE AND METHYLGLYOXAL IN-VITRO

Acetaldehyde (AA) and methylglyoxal (MG) are reactive, ubiquitous alde hydes, present in the environment and endogenously formed in animals a nd humans. They have both been shown to readily form DNA adducts under simulated physic,logical conditions. We report here on the use of cul tured normal and SV40T antigen-immortalized human buccal epithelial ce lls as model systems for aldehyde exposure of the oral epithelium, occ urring through the ingestion of alcoholic beverages and brewed coffee, as well as by inhalation of tobacco smoke and automobile exhaust, By the application of recently developed P-32-postlabding methods, the pr esence of both endogenous and induced AA and MG DNA adducts was demons trated in cultured human epithelial cells. Furthermore, these DNA addu cts were formed in a dose-dependent manner al aldehyde concentrations that were relatively nontoxic to the cells. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.