This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wattenberg, L. W. Articles by Strand, P. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wattenberg, L. W. Articles by Strand, P. J.

Benzpyrene Hydroxylase Activity in the Gastrointestinal Tract^*

( Department of Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Quantitative and morphologic histochemical studies of the activity of the benzpyrene hydroxylase system in the gastrointestinal tract have been carried out. In normal rats activity is found only in the small intestine. In rats in which an increase in activity is induced by oral administration of 1,2-benzanthracene, activity is found throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract but varies in magnitude from one region to another. The effects of starvation and of a low-fat diet have been studied and were found to markedly lower the activity of the enzyme system. In addition to the rat, benzpyrene hydroxylase activity has been found to be present in the duodenum of mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, hamster, dog, monkey, baboon, and man. The possible role of this type of system as a protective mechanism against polycyclic hydrocarbons which might reach the gastrointestinal tract is discussed.

^* This study was supported by research grant C-9599 from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.

Received 5/28/62.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. W. Nebert, T. P. Dalton, A. B. Okey, and F. J. Gonzalez Role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-mediated Induction of the CYP1 Enzymes in Environmental Toxicity and Cancer J. Biol. Chem., June 4, 2004; 279(23): 23847 - 23850. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Pantuck, K. Hsiao, R Kuntzman, and A. Conney Intestinal metabolism of phenacetin in the rat: effect of charcoal-broiled beef and rat chow Science, February 28, 1975; 187(4178): 744 - 746. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. H. Conney and J. J. Burns Metabolic Interactions Among Environmental Chemicals and Drugs: Environmental chemicals that alter microsomal activity may influence the safety and efficacy of drugs Science, November 10, 1972; 178(4061): 576 - 586. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. V. Gelboin, F. Wiebel, and L. Diamond Dimethylbenzanthracene Tumorigenesis and Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase in Mouse Skin: Inhibition by 7,8-Benzoflavone Science, October 9, 1970; 170(3954): 169 - 171. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. H. Jellinck and B. Goudy Protective Action of Polycyclic Hydrocarbons against Induction of Adrenal Necrosis by Dimethylbenzanthracene Science, June 3, 1966; 152(3727): 1375 - 1376. [Abstract] [PDF]