The role of antioxidant enzymes in benzo(a)pyrene-induced carcinogenesis.
Chick embryo hepatocytes were cultured in the presence of benzo(a)pyrene in order to study the effects of this carcinogen on catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. The results demonstrate that benzo(a)pyrene is incapable of modifying the activity of these enzymes, even though it is taken up by cultured cells to form benzo(a)pyrene-DNA adducts. The effect of culturing, however, caused a marked reduction in the activity of these enzymes. The significance of these activity variations in benzo(a)pyrene in vitro carcinogenesis is discussed.
Liotti
F S
FS
Institute of General Biology, University of Perugia, Italy.
Bodo
M
M
Mariucci
G
G
Menghini
A R
AR
Guerrieri
P
P
Bruschelli
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase