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Differences in Benzo(a)pyrene Metabolism between Rodent Liver Microsomes and Embryonic Cells

Biology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory,⁴ Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830 [J. K. S.], and Chemistry Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20014 [R. G. C., F. J. W., H. V. G.]

Differences in benzo(a)pyrene metabolite pattern have been shown by rodent liver microsomes (Sprague-Dawley) and rodent embryo cells from Syrian hamsters and NIH Swiss mice. Rodent liver induced by methylcholanthrene shows marked quantitative variation between species. Additional pattern changes were found in mouse and hamster embryo secondary cultures with a reduction of the K-region metabolites and a marked increase in 9-hydroxybenzo(a)-pyrene and concomitant reduction in 3-hydroxybenzo(a)-pyrene. These results are indicative of a region-specific attack on the carcinogen by the cell monooxygenases which is distinct from the liver attack of microsomal enzymes on benzo(a)pyrene.

These results suggest that activation and detoxification of benzo(a)pyrene may be species and tissue variable, and susceptibility and resistance to malignant transformation may be predicated on induction of a fortuitous combination of intermediate metabolic steps.

¹ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P. O. Box Y, Oak Ridge, Tenn. 37830.

² Present address: Department of Nutritional Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass. 02139.

³ Present address: Gesellschaft für Strahlen- und Umweltsforschung Abt. Toxicology, Munich, Germany.

⁴ Operated for the U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration under contract with Union Carbide Corporation.

Received 6/23/76. Accepted 8/18/76.

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