Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) activates the aryl hydrocarbon (AHR) and induces the expression of genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism, including CYP1A1. CYP1A1 is involved not only in BaP detoxification but also in metabolic activation, which results in DNA adduct formation. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) belongs to the NR1I subfamily of the nuclear receptor superfamily, which also regulates expression of ...

In this study, we developed a protein nanoparticle-based immunoassay to detect cancer biomarkers using a bioluminescent fusion protein. This method relies on the use of protein nanoparticles comprised of genetically-engineered elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) fused with poly-aspartic acid tails (ELP-D), previously developed in our lab. The sizes of the self-assembled ELP-D nanoparticles can be ...

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a mutagenic carcinogen that is ubiquitous in our environment. To better understand the toxic effects of BaP and to explore the relationship between toxicity and toxicogenomics profiles, we assessed global mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression in Muta™Mouse. Adult male mice were exposed by oral gavage to 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day BaP for 28 days. Liver tissue was collected ...

The accumulation of 14C-benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) sorbed to sediment was examined in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to compare uptake from sediment with a high organic carbon (OC) content (7.7%), to that with a low OC content (2%). Ingestion of sediments was quantified by co-labeling the sediment with 141Cerium, which was not assimilated by the fish. Results of this study indicated that (1) s...

Cigarette smoking has been strongly associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but the components of tobacco smoke involved in AAA have not been identified. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is an important constituent in cigarette smoke capable of induction of alterations strikingly similar to the pathological changes seen during AAA development. We therefore hypothesized that BaP exposure contribute...

INTRODUCTION One possible mechanism for the postulated link between high consumption of meat and colorectal cancer (CRC) is the content of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in meat. METHODS We investigated this association in a population-based case-control study in Western Australia (567 cases and 713 controls). Participants' self-report of meat consumption and lifestyle was used in conjunction with the ...

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a fatal disease, and exposure to 3,4-benzopyrene (Bap) is closely related to the development of AAA. We have found that Bap could impair the biological function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are associated with the occurrence of AAA. We have also demonstrated that macrophage activation plays a key role in Bap-induced AAA, but the mechanism is u...

BACKGROUND Blood lead levels (BLLs) have been shown to increase during periods of high bone turnover such as pregnancy and menopause. OBJECTIVES We examined the associations between bone turnover and micronutrient intake with BLLs in women 20-85 years of age (n = 2,671) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2002. METHODS Serum bone-specific alkaline pho...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) hydrolyzes pyrophosphate, which inhibits vascular calcification. We examined association between serum BAP and vascular calcification of male hemodialysis patients. METHODS Hand roentgenography of 167 male maintenance hemodialysis patients was conducted, and visible vascular calcification of the hand arteries was evaluated. Serum levels...

Both benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are potent ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR). Although animal studies indicate that both compounds induce pathological changes in the peripheral lung, the specific cell type involved remains unclear. Clara cells, expressing Clara cell specific protein (CCSP) and abundant in cytochrome P450, are nonciliated bronch...