To clarify the role of 8-OHdG formation as a starting point for carcinogenesis, we examined the dose-dependence and timecourse of changes of OGG1 mRNA expression, 8-OHdG levels and in vivo mutations in the kidneys of gpt delta rats given KBrO 3 in their drinking water for 13 weeks. There were no remarkable changes in OGG1 mRNA in spite of some increments being statistically significant. Increases of 8-OHdG occurred after 1 week at 500 p.p.m. and after 13 weeks at 250 p.p.m. Elevation of Spi -mutant frequency, suggestive of deletion mutations, occurred after 9 weeks at 500 p.p.m. In a two-stage experiment, F344 rats were given KBrO 3 for 13 weeks then, after a 2-week recovery, treated with 1% NTA in the diet for 39 weeks. The incidence and multiplicity of renal preneoplastic lesions in rats given KBrO 3 at 500 p.p.m. followed by NTA treatment were significantly higher than in rats treated with NTA alone. Results suggest that a certain period of time might be required for 8-OHdG to cause permanent mutations. The two-step experiment shows that cells exposed to the alteration of the intranuclear status by oxidative stress including 8-OHdG formation might be able to form tumors with appropriate promotion. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 829-835) O xidative DNA damage is caused by reactive oxygen species derived from various processes of cellular metabolism, especially metabolism of exogenous mutagens and carcinogens. 8-OHdG, a form of guanine oxidized at the C-8 position, is believed to be fairly stable and the most abundant oxidative lesion(1) among the many oxidized nucleosides known. It is established that 8-OHdG lesions are repaired mainly by the so-called GO system.(2) In this system: OGG1 DNA glycosylase and apurinic/apyrimidic lyase act to correct 8-OH-G:C pairs; (3) MYH glycosylase removes an A base mispaired with 8-OHdG; (4) and MTH 8-OH-dGTpase hydrolyzes 8-OH-dGTP in the nucleotide pool for prevention of its incorporation into DNA.(5) Thus, the existence of these three genes for repair of 8-OHdG in DNA points to 8-OHdG as a biologically deleterious base lesion. Induction of OGG1 mRNA expression and an increase of OGG1 activity following application of exogenous oxidative stimuli have been demonstrated. (6)(7)(8)(9) KBrO 3 , which induces renal cell tumors in F344 rats after oral administration at concentrations of 250 and 500 p.p.m, (10) has been classified as a genotoxic carcinogen based on positive mutagenicity in the Ames, (11) chromosome aberration, (12) and micronucleus (13) tests. Effective prevention of KBrO 3 clastogenicity by antioxidants, (14,15) and induction of 8-OHdG by KBrO 3 in vitro and in vivo strongly suggest that 8-OHdG plays a key role in KBrO 3 mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. (16 -19) KBrO 3 has therefore received much attention as a suitable agent for research into 8-OHdG-related carcinogenesis. With a single dose of KBrO 3 by i.p. injection, 8-OHdG glycosylase activity in the rat kidney is increased in association with 8-OHdG formation.(20) A recent study using OGG1-deficient gpt delta mice...