Evaluation of DNA Adducts, DNA and RNA Oxidative Lesions, and 3-Hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene as Biomarkers of DNA Damage in Lung Following Intravenous Injection of the Parent Compound in Rats

Biomarkers of exposure and effect were assessed in 40 male Sprague−Dawley rats injected intravenously with 40 μmol/kg of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) to determine which biomarkers are more representative of BaP-induced DNA damage in lung. Lung, liver, blood, and urine were collected at t = 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 33, 48, 72, and 360 h postdosing. Specific BaP-diol epoxide (BPDE)−DNA adducts, 8-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdGuo), were measured in lung, liver, and mononucleated blood cells by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Urinary 8-OHdGuo and 8-hydroxy-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-OHGuo) were also determined by HPLC-MS/MS, and urinary 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene was measured by HPLC/fluorescence. Between 2 and 72 h postdosing, BPDE−DNA adducts were significantly increased in lung, liver, and mononucleated blood cells of BaP-treated rats as compared to controls, with the highest levels found in lung. 8-OHdGuo levels also increased in lung of BaP-treated rats with values reaching statistical significance at 2, 8, and 16 h postinjection. No influence of BaP treatment was found on 8-OHdGuo and 8-OHGuo urinary excretions. BPDE−DNA adducts in lung were strongly correlated to urinary 3-OHBaP (r = 0.936 and p < 0.001) and to a lesser extent to blood BPDE−DNA adducts (r = 0.636 and p < 0.001), the latter of which were correlated to each other (r = 0.573 and p = 0.002). Urinary 3-OHBaP and BPDE−DNA adducts in mononucleated blood cells appear as relevant biomarkers of BaP genotoxic exposure and are highly promising for health risk assessment in humans.