The interaction of ionizing radiation and food pyrolysis products in producing oncogenic transformation in vitro

Short term cultures of golden hamster embryo cells were exposed to X-irradiation and/or to 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3,-b]indole (Trp-P-2), a pyrolysis product of DL-tryptophan. Oncogenic transformation was scored following treatment with radiation and the pyrolysate, alone or in combination. Pre-treatment of the cells with 50 rad or 150 rad and subsequent exposure to 0.5 microgramas compared to that observed following exposure to the single agents. The enhanced frequency was related to the absorbed dose of radiation. The data suggests a synergistic interaction between X-rays and the pyrolysis product in their oncogenic action. (author)