Absorptivity Is an Important Determinant in the Toxicity Difference between Aristolochic Acid I and Aristolochic Acid II.

ABSTRACT: Inadvertent exposure to aristolochic acids (AAs) is causing chronic renal disease worldwide, with aristolochic acid I (AA-I) identified as the primary toxic agent. This study employed chemical methods to investigate the mechanisms underlying the nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity of AA-I. Aristolochic acid II (AA-II), which has a structure similar to that of AA-I, was investigated with the same methods for comparison. Despite their structural similarities, findings from cultured human cells and gut sac experiments showed that AA-I is absorbed more effectively than AA-II (∼3 times greater for AA-I than for AA-II; p < 0.001). This increased absorption, along with the previously observed higher activity of reductive activation enzymes for AA-I, results in greater DNA damage and oxidati

SUBMITTER: Kwok HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11800392 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature