Analyses of Oxidative DNA Damage and Its Repair Activity in the Livers of 3′‐Methyl‐4‐dimethylaminoazobenzene‐treated Rodents

We measured the levels of 8‐hydroxyguanine (8‐OH‐Gua) and its repair activity in the livers of the Donryu rat, the carcinogen‐resistant DRH rat, and the ddy mouse, which were fed a 0.06% 3′‐ methyl‐4‐dimethylaminoazobenzene (3′‐MeDAB)‐containing diet. In a short‐term rat experiment (maximum 2 months), 3′‐MeDAB did not increase the 8‐OH‐Gua levels in the livers of the two rat strains, although it significantly increased the repair activity in only the Donryu rat liver at 1 and 2 months. After long‐term 3′‐MeDAB administration to the ddy mouse (8 months), the levels of 8‐OH‐Gua and its repair activity were increased in the liver by 3.6‐fold and 1.6‐fold, respectively. These experiments suggest that 3′‐MeDAB increases 8‐OH‐Gua generation in rodent liver DNA and the 8‐OH‐Gua repair assay is a reliable marker of cellular oxidative stress induced by carcinogens.