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Morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts by the anabolic agent trenbolone

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Abstract

Trenbolone (TBOH), a synthetic androgen used as an anabolic agent in livestock, has been tested for mutagenicity in the Salmonella assay, for covalent DNA-binding in vitro, for induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis in HeLa cells and Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) fibroblasts and for morphological transformation of SHE cells. While TBOH gave negative results in the assays for mutagenicity and DNA damage, it was clearly capable of transforming SHE cells in culture. The natural androgen testosterone did not transform these cells. Thus, TBOH appears to be a substance which can transform cells independent of its hormonal action and without grossly damaging DNA.

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Abbreviations

TBOH:

17β-hydroxy-4,9,11-androstatrien-3-one

DES:

diethylstilbestrol, E-3,4-di(p-hydroxyphenyl)hex-3-ene

DMSO:

dimethylsulfoxide

HRP:

horseradish peroxidase

LSC:

liquid scintillation counting

UDS:

unscheduled DNA synthesis

SHE:

Syrian hamster embryo

PBS:

phosphate-buffered saline pH 7.4 (0.14 M NaCl:3 mM KCL:8 mM Na2HPO4:1 mM KH2PO4)

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The results of this study have been reported in preliminary form at the Third Symposium of the Section of Experimental Cancer Research of the German Cancer Society, Heidelberg, March 6–8, 1985

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Schiffmann, D., Metzler, M., Neudecker, T. et al. Morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts by the anabolic agent trenbolone. Arch Toxicol 58, 59–63 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292619

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292619

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