Hiramitsu Suzuki

Occurrence of carcinogenic amino-α-carbolines in some environmental samples

Abstract The carcinogenic amino-α-carbolines, 2-amino-9 H -pyrido[2,3- b ]indole (A α C) and 2-amino-3-methyl-9 H -pyrido[2,3- b ]indole (MeA α C), have been measured in airborne particles, rain water, soil and cigarette-smoke-polluted indoor air by high-performance liquid chromatography. These carcinogens were found in all kinds of environmental samples examined, although MeAαC was not detected in soil. Considering the present results, together with the previous findings that these carcinogens were present in foodstuffs, cigarette smoke and diesel-exhaust particles, amino-α-carbolines are likely to be ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Our data also support the hypothesis that amino-α-carbolines are formed through combustion of various materials such as food, grass and petroleum.

Effect of age on the modification of rat plasma lipids by fish and soybean oil diets

The effects of sardine and soybean oils on plasma lipids have been studied in young and aged rats. Plasma cholesterol and bile acids of aged rats fed on a sardine oil diet decreased to a greater degree than those of young rats. Cholesterol, bile acids and phospholipids of the soybean oil diet group decreased only in aged rats. Increases in plasma eicosapentaenoic (sardine) and linoleic (soybean) acid levels of aged rats were observed to be greater than those of young rats. These results indicate that the age enhances the effects of fish and soybean oils on plasma lipids by suppressing their characteristic fatty acid metabolism.