Nitroreduction of 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene: a potential activation pathway in humans.
6-Nitrobenzo[a]pyrene, an environmental pollutant, was metabolized by human intestinal microflora to 6-nitrosobenzo[a]pyrene and 6-aminobenzo[a]pyrene. The two-electron reduction product 6-nitrosobenzo[a]pyrene exhibited strong direct-acting mutagenicity in the Salmonella typhimurium assay. These results imply that 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene can be hazardous to human health via a nitroreduction activation pathway and opens the possibility that other nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are not direct-acting mutagens may be activated in vivo by a similar mechanism.
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National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72079.
Cerniglia
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Richardson
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Heflich
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D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects
D001580:Benzopyrenes; D009153:Mutagens; C034699:6-nitrobenzo(a)pyrene; C035242:6-aminobenzo(a)pyrene