Effects of 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide and its metabolites on Novikoff hepatoma cells.

Studies were undertaken to determine the effects of 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC) and its metabolites on the growth and macromolecular synthesis of Novikoff hepatoma cells in culture. DTIC (3.0 mM) in light decreased the viable cell count by 90% within 96 hr. DTIC protected from light, 2-azahypoxanthine, dimethylamine, and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide, all at 3.0 mM, reduced the rate of cellular proliferation. 5-Diazoimidazole-4-carboxamide (1.0 mM) and 5-(3-methyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (3.0 mM) decreased the viable cell count by 99%. Effects on macromolecular synthesis were determined by the rate of incorporation of the appropriate 3H-labeled precursor. Results after 6 hr are given as percentage of controls. DTIC (1.0 mM) in light inhibited DNA (8%), RNA (41%), and protein (63%) synthesis. DTIC (1.0 mM) protected from light inhibited DNA (12%) and RNA (57%) synthesis. 5-Diazoimidazole-4-carboxamide (0.1 mM) inhibited DNA (1%), RNA (9%), and protein (1%) synthesis. 5-(3-Methyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (1.0 mM) inhibited DNA (72%) and protein (65%) synthesis but stimulated RNA (127%) synthesis. 2-Azahypoxanthine (1.0 mM) inhibited DNA (43%), RNA 82%) and protein (28%) synthesis. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (3.0 mM) stimulated DNA (354%) and RNA (266%) synthesis. These data show that DTIC is able to generate several toxic metabolites that may be responsible for its biological effects.