Possible involvement of chromosome aberrations and DNA damages in acetamide-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Abstract

The mechanism of acetamide (AA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis remains uncertain. Our previous study showed that AA induced histopathological changes implying chromosome aberrations (CA) in the liver of rats. In this study, to clarify possible involvement of CA in hepatocarcinogenesis, we performed micronucleus (MN) test and comet assay using rats. As a result, AA induced CA in the liver, but not direct DNA damage. Moreover, the immunohistochemical analysis showed damaged DNA and abnormal nuclear envelope in MNs, suggesting that chromothripsis may contribute to AA hepatocarcinogenesis.