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 Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lake, R. S. Articles by Igel, H. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lake, R. S. Articles by Igel, H. J.

Measurement of Benzo(a)pyrene Metabolism in Human Monocytes¹

Department of Pathology, The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44308

Assay of polycyclic hydrocarbon metabolism in human peripheral blood leukocyte cultures may be of value in determining inter- and intraindividual variations in metabolic response to environmental carcinogens and drugs. Toward development of a practical assay, the methodological aspects of measuring the whole-cell metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene to water-soluble metabolites in peripheral blood monocytes have been systematically examined. We find that, unlike benzo(a)pyrene metabolism in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes, the specific metabolic activity (SMA) of benzo(a)pyrene in human monocyte cultures is independent of phytohemagglutinin stimulation, culture age up to 3 days, fetal bovine serum levels from 5 to 20% in the culture medium, and initial input monocyte concentration in each culture.

Under standard conditions chosen on the basis of the above features, monocyte SMA assay with 5 ml of starting whole blood can be reproducibly performed in 3 days. One human volunteer assayed at one time by 10 independent tests, at four times on 1 day, and eight times over a 3-month period yielded a monocyte SMA coefficient of variation of 7.3, 9.03, and 11.8%, respectively. When three individuals were assayed at different times over a 2-month period, the coefficient of variation with each individual was 13 to 19% in monocytes and 28 to 31% in lymphoblasts. The monocyte SMA assay is very sensitive, convenient, and less variable than the similar lymphoblast assay but may still be subject to fluctuation caused by donor status at the time of blood sampling.

¹ Supported in part by Akron Community Trusts and United Way Cancer Society of Summit County.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

³ Present address: Torrey Pines Research Center, 2945 Science Park Road, La Jolla, Calif, 92037.

Received 2/ 4/77. Accepted 4/28/77.