Carcinogen, cell initiation

Paradoxically, both apoptosis and the inhibition of apoptosis can be carcinogenic. Generalized apoptosis of a cell population may select for apoptosis-resistant cells. The inhibition of apoptosis may allow for the growth and replication of cells that contain substantial DNA damage, thus perpetuating potentially carcinogenic cell traits. Chromium (VI) appears to do both of these, as it initially activates and later inactivates p53. 

The key to hexavalent chromium s mutagenicity and possible carcinogenicity is the abiHty of this oxidation state to penetrate the cell membrane. The Cr(VI) Species promotes DNA strand breaks and initiates DNA—DNA and DNA-protein cross-links both in cell cultures and in vivo (105,112,128—130). The mechanism of this genotoxic interaction may be the intercellular reduction of Cr(VI) in close proximity to the nuclear membrane. When in vitro reductions of hexavalent chromium are performed by glutathione, the formation of Cr(V) and glutathione thiyl radicals are observed, and these are beHeved to be responsible for the formation of the DNA cross-links (112). 

Klaunig et al. (1991) found that hepatocyte DNA synthesis increased significantly in male mice exposed to trichloroethylene by gavage for up to 14 days, but no such increase was seen in female mice or in renal DNA synthesis in either sex. Similar exposures in rats produced increases in renal DNA synthesis in males, but no such increase in females, or in hepatic DNA synthesis in either sex. These results correlate well with observed species- and gender-specific trichloroethylene carcinogenicity, and the study authors suggest that trichloroethylene acts as a tumor promoter to induce proliferation of previously initiated cells. 

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