The effects of antioxidants on the metabolism and mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene in vitro.
Antioxidants inhibit the rat liver microsomal mixed-function-oxidase-catalysed hydroxylation of benzo[a]pyrene. These antioxidants also decrease the formation of mutagenic products from benzo[a]pyrene as judged by the Ames bacterial-mutagenicity assay [B.N. Ames, J. McCann & E. Yamazaki (1975) Mutat. Res. 31, 347-364]. It is suggested that antioxidants exert their protective effect against cancer by inhibiting the formation of carcinogenic metabolites.
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D001580:Benzopyrenes