R-goitrin- and BHA-induced modulation of aflatoxin B1 binding to DNA and biliary excretion of thiol conjugates in rats.

Previous studies have shown that dietary R-goitrin is a potent inducer of hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) and epoxide hydrolase activities but has no effect on components of the mixed function oxidase system (ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase and cytochrome P-450). In the present work effects of dietary R-goitrin (200 p.p.m.) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (7500 p.p.m.) on GST activity, binding of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) to DNA, in vivo, and biliary excretion of thiol conjugates of AFB1 in rats were studied. Increases of GST activities (1.9- and 2.1-fold) were accompanied by reductions in AFB1-DNA binding (43% and 85%) and increases (1.7- and 2.2-fold) in biliary excretion of AFB1-thiol conjugates in R-goitrin and BHA groups, respectively. Microsomal aflatoxin 8,9-epoxidase activities were not increased in either treatment group. The role of GST induction in the carcinogenesis of AFB1 and the anticarcinogenic potential of R-goitrin are discussed.