Abstract
Homogenates of Zymbal's glands from β-naphthoflavonetreated rats and mice have 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activity, while those from rats also have aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity. Measured concentrations of cytochrome P-450 in microsomes from Zymbal's glands of β-naphthoflavone-treated rats are not higher than those from untreated rats. Studies of inhibitors of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylation in homogenates of Zymbal's glands from β-naphthoflavone-treated rats suggest that these enzyme activities are catalyzed by cytochrome P-450. These findings indicate that reactive metabolites of chemical carcinogens may be formed in Zymbal's gland, a target organ for chemical carcinogenesis.
Footnotes
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↵1 To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Laboratory of Pharmacology, MD 19-07, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, P. O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, N. C. 27709.
- Received January 3, 1983.
- Accepted May 6, 1983.
- ©1983 American Association for Cancer Research.