Z Gastroenterol 2011; 49 - A38
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1278469

Examination of effect of tartrazin and azurobin on gene expression in mice treated DMBA

A Kisbenedek 2, B Raposa 2, É Polyák 2, K Müller 2, S Szabó 2, S Armbruszt 2, T Varjas 1, M Figler 2, I Ember 1
  • 1University of Pécs, Medical School, Institute of Public Health, Pécs, Hungary
  • 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Pécs, Hungary

Introduction: Nowadays increasingly more and more studies are published about the carcinogenic, gene expression modifier effects of food additives. In our country the Hungarian Food Book's (Codex Alimentarius Hungaricus) law regulations allow the use of artifical colourants, such as tartrazine and azurobine – however, which were to be forbidden by the British Food Agency in food industry.

These colourants are used in: foam powders, processed cheeses, jams, alcoholic drinks with fruit content, mustard, biscuits, ice creams, desserts, but spirits and trendy dietary supplements do contain them as well.

Methods: We examined the gene expression modifier effects of colourants (in the food industry E102 and E122) on animal model.

We have shown the effect of the colourants through the metabolisating enzymes (CYP1A1 and CYP2E1) demonstrating the gene expression effect. We concluded on the basis of mRNS concentrations defined by quantitative Real Time PCR isolated from the liver, lungs, kidneys and spleen of BALB/C nude mice consuming special tartrazin and azorubin nutriment for the expression modifying effect of the compound. CYP1A1 and CYP2E1and their hypothetical role in carcinogenesis. This effect is being examined in a „short-term“ test system elaborated in our institute.

Results: Tartrazine did not elevate the CYP1A1 gene expression in the lungs given in an even tenfold dose compared to the control. After 24 hours of the carcinogenic DMBA treatment, it characteristically elevated the gene expression, moreover, combining with tenfold dose of tartrazine or azurobine showed even more significant elevation. Azorubin did not cause significant gene expression change on either of the organs examined.

Conclusions: It could be observed that azorubin reduced gene expression of CYP2E1 in tenfold doses compared to the single dose.Opposite this finding, it has elevated CYP1A1 gene expression in the kidneys, given in tenfold dose more strongly and by adding DMBA suggesting a cumulative effect. Since the molecules are strongly water-soluble, it is possible, that it is concentrated in the kidneys and expounds a biological effect.