Comparative metabolism and DNA binding of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1, aflatoxicol and aflatoxicol-M1 in hepatocytes from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

DNA binding and metabolism patterns of 3H-labeled aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its phase I metabolites, aflatoxicol (AFL), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), and aflatoxicol-M1 (AFL-M1), were compared in freshly prepared rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) hepatocytes. Aflatoxins were incubated with hepatocytes for periods up to 1 h, cellular DNA was isolated and specific activities determined by scintillation counting and Burton analysis. Data for (pmol bound aflatoxin/micrograms DNA)/(mumol dose) versus time fit a linear function (P less than 0.002) passing nearly through the origin for each aflatoxin. DNA binding at 1 h relative to AFB1 was: AFL, 0.53 +/- 0.07; AFM1, 0.81 +/- 0.20 AFL-M1, 0.83 +/- 0.24. Statistical analysis indicated that binding of AFL, AFM1 and AFL-M1 were significantly less than that of AFB1. HPLC analysis of the cellular supernatants indicated that the major metabolites were AFL, AFB1, AFL-M1, and AFM1 from AFB1, AFL, AFM1 and AFL-M1 substrates, respectively. Small quantities of hydroxylated metabolites and glucuronides also were detected in some of the incubations. The time-course data suggested that initial formation of major metabolites was rapid and that, by 20-30 min, net changes in metabolite levels decreased or approached zero. Because the four compounds possess a 8,9-double bond, DNA binding could be due to activation of the parent substrates as well as of their phase I metabolites. Based on current mutagenicity data and limited carcinogenicity studies, AFM1 and AFL-M1 have binding levels which are higher than expected compared to AFB1 and AFL.