title: Primary culture of rat mammary epithelial cells. II. Cytotoxic effect and metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and N-nitroso-N-methylurea.
abstract: To determine the cytotoxicity of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) on primary cultures of rat mammary cells, cultures were exposed to various concentrations of these carcinogens. Cytotoxicity was evident after exposure for 24 hours to as little as 0.1 microgram DMBA/ml. Cytotoxicity was evident after exposure for 2 hours with NMU at concentrations between 80 and 160 microgram/ml. Primary cultures of rat mammary cells were also examined for their ability to metabolize [3H]DMBA into water-soluble products. During a 48-hour period, mammary cells could convert 2.2% [3H]DMBA to water-soluble metabolites. The cells retained (for at least 4 days) small quantities of [3H]DMBA that were insoluble in organic solvents.
mesh_terms: D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D001711:Biotransformation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008770:Methylnitrosourea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D008770:Methylnitrosourea; D004247:DNA