title: Patterns of benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolism in normal human pulmonary alveolar macrophages.
abstract: Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) obtained by bronchopulmonary lavage from 6 normal non-smoking volunteers were incubated with [3H]-benzo[alpha]pyrene to ascertain the normal metabolism and conjugation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Through the use of a crude glucuronidase preparation, both glucuronic acid and sulfate conjugates were examined. Phenols and quinones were identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography as the principal free metabolites formed during 1 h incubation with benzanthracene induced PAMs. In addition, phenols and quinones were major substrates utilized by these cells for conjugation during the incubation period. The ranges of benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolites produced by PAMs from non-smokers were compiled and the variation in production as well as detoxification of proximate carcinogenic benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolites are presented.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001580:Benzopyrenes