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Formation of carcinogenic and inactive chrysene metabolites by rat liver microsomes of various monooxygenase activities

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Abstract

Microsomal oxidation of chrysene in rat liver occurs at various positions (1,2-; 3,4-; 5,6-). This has been verified by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and comparison with synthetic reference substances. After various rat pretreatments with inducers of the monooxygenase system the oxidation at the 3,4-position predominated in isolated microsomes. The formation of the ultimate carcinogen of chrysene—1, 2-dihydroxy-3,4-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochrysene — was not detectable in untreated rats. However, it was observed as 1,2,3-trihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochrysene-TMS-ether formed under workup and derivatisation conditions after pretreating the rats with phenobarbital, polychlorinated biphenyl, benzoflavone, or various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Polychlorinated biphenyls and benzoflavone were the most potent inducers for the formation of this metabolite.

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Abbreviations

BjF:

Benzo(j)fluoranthene

BNF:

5,6-benzoflavone

GC:

gas-liquid chromatography

HPLC:

high-pressure liquid chromatography

MS:

mass spectrometry

PAH:

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PCB:

polychlorinated biphenyl

TCBP:

3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl

TMS:

trimethylsilyl

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Assessment of environmental compounds by carcinogenspecific tests, part 1

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Jacob, J., Schmoldt, A. & Grimmer, G. Formation of carcinogenic and inactive chrysene metabolites by rat liver microsomes of various monooxygenase activities. Arch Toxicol 51, 255–265 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348857

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348857

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