Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0242706 (hyperoxia)
 5,219 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Exposure of cell cultures to hyperoxia, i.e., an atmosphere containing more than 20% O2, results in various genotoxic effects. The most prominent effect of hyperoxia is its clastogenicity. In this paper, earlier published data, obtained from research devoted to the mechanism of hyperoxia-induced clastogenesis, are reviewed. In addition, new data are presented concerning the hyperoxia-sensitivity of the DNA-repair deficient Chinese hamster cell lines xrs1, irs1, and EM9. None of these ionizing radiation-sensitive mutants showed hypersensitivity to hyperoxia, as measured by chromosomal aberration induction and loss of clonogenic cell survival. From the normal hyperoxia-sensitivity of xrs1, it may be concluded that DNA double strand breaks, of the type that are induced by ionizing radiation, do not play a role in chromosomal aberration formation by hyperoxia. In addition, since xrs1 is hypersensitive to drugs that inhibit topoisomerase II, it seems rather unlikely that exposure to hyperoxia affects topoisomerase II activity. Based on circumstantial evidence we hypothesize that perturbation of poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism may play a critical role in the mechanism of hyperoxia-induced clastogenesis.
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PMID:Mechanism of hyperoxia-induced chromosomal breakage in Chinese hamster cells. 822 8

Existing systems of classification of carcinogens are a matter of discussion, world-wide. There is agreement that it should be distinguished between genotoxic and non-genotoxic chemicals. The risk assessment approach used for non-genotoxic chemicals is similar among different regulatory bodies: insertion of an uncertainty (safety) factor permits the derivation of permissible exposure levels at which no relevant human cancer risks are anticipated. For genotoxic carcinogens, case studies of chemicals point to a whole array of possibilities. Positive data of chromosomal effects only, in the absence of mutagenicity, may support the characterization of a compound that produces carcinogenic effects only at high, toxic doses. Non-DNA-reactive genotoxins, such as topoisomerase inhibitors or inhibitors of the spindle apparatus are considered in this respect. In such cases, arguments are in favour of the existence of "practical" thresholds. Taking existing concepts together, it is proposed to basically distinguish between "perfect" and "practical" thresholds. There is a wide consensus that for non-DNA-reactive genotoxins such as aneugens (aneuploidy, chromosome loss, non-disjunction) thresholds should be defined. It is being discussed as to whether the identification of possible threshold effects should also include other mechanisms of genotoxicity, in addition to aneugenic effects. Specific mechanisms of clastogenicity have been repeatedly addressed as also having thresholds, such as topoisomerase II poisons or mechanisms based on reactive oxygen. Oxidative stress as an important mechanism is triggered by exposure to exogenous factors such as ultraviolet (UV) and ionizing radiation, anoxia and hyperoxia, and by chemicals producing reactive oxygen species. The idea is receiving increased support that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated processes of carcinogenesis have practical thresholds. Since reactive oxygen species are genotoxic in principle, questions arise whether chemicals that increase ROS production will superimpose to an endogenously produced background level of DNA lesions, related to mechanisms that may result in non-linear dose-effect relationships. The existence of "endogenous" DNA adducts has been generally accepted, and possible regulatory implications of the presence of endogenous carcinogens have been discussed. It is now becoming evident that a diversity of methods of carcinogenic risk extrapolation to low doses must be considered, dependent on the mode of action. Although there is an increasing international awareness of these developments, the system of classification of carcinogens of the European Union still remains static. This should be changed, as the philosophy of separation of a strictly sequential "hazard assessment" and "risk assessment" appears out-of-date.
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PMID:Carcinogenicity categorization of chemicals-new aspects to be considered in a European perspective. 1517 38