Inhibition of estrogen-induced kidney carcinogenesis in Syrian hamsters by modulators of estrogen metabolism.

Quinone metabolites of catechol estrogens have been postulated to mediate estradiol-induced carcinogenesis. In this study, this postulate was examined by investigating the effect of modulators of quinone metabolism on estradiol-induced tumor incidence in male Syrian hamsters. 2(3)-t-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisol (BHA) and dicumarol which are known to stimulate or inhibit respectively, the activity of quinone reductase, lowered tumor incidence by 33 and 42% respectively (3/9 and 5/12 tumor-free animals/total respectively), from 100% (13/13) observed with 17 beta-estradiol (E2) treatment only. Ebselen, a substance with glutathione peroxidase-like activity, and sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (Mesna), a cytoprotective thiol-containing agent, were only marginally effective in decreasing the estradiol-induced kidney tumor incidence (3/11 and 4/19 tumor-free animals/total respectively). The lowering of tumor incidence by BHA and dicumarol correlated well with a 40-45% decrease in renal peroxidatic activity of cytochrome P450 in hamsters treated with these substances plus estradiol for 1 month. In addition, these compounds also inhibited the oxidation of diethylstilbestrol to its corresponding quinone in vitro. An influence on quinone reductase or other detoxifying enzymes in chronically treated male Syrian hamsters could not be detected. These data support a mediation of estradiol-induced carcinogenesis by quinones formed by metabolic oxidation of catechol estrogens.