DNA strand break by 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, a fragrant compound in various foodstuffs.

2,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2 H)-furanone (DMHF), produced by Maillard reaction of sugar/amino acid and found in various foodstuffs, showed mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain with and without S9 mix, and induced micronucleated mouse peripheral reticulocytes. DNA strand breaking activity of the compound at pH 7.4 increased with the increasing dose of the compound and with the increasing incubation time. The breaking activity was inhibited in the presence of superoxide dismutase, catalase, hydroxyl radical scavengers, spin trapping agents, thiol compounds and metal chelators, and also by removal of dissolved oxygen from the incubation mixture. Addition of Fe(III) ion to the incubation mixture enhanced the breaking activity. Incubation of DMHF with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) gave electron spin resonance signals characteristic to DMPO-OH adduct, indicating generation of hydroxyl radical. It was found that DMHF generated hydroxyl radical with an aid of a trace amount of metal ions, and induced DNA strand breaking. Mutagenicity and induction of micronucleated reticulocytes by DMHF may be caused as a result of DNA modification via hydroxyl radical.