title: The metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene by the lungs of asbestos exposed rats.
abstract: A group of Fischer F344 rats were exposed to an aerosol of crocidolite asbestos for 36 d. Short-term organ cultures were established from the lungs of these animals and from a similar control group. The ability of these cultures to metabolise benzo(a)pyrene to water-soluble and ether-soluble forms was measured. Crocidolite treatment reduced the lungs ability to produce both types of metabolite although only the reduction in water-soluble forms was significant. DNA binding increased in cultures from treated rats, though this was not statistically significant. The possible relationship of these results to asbestos pathogenesis is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity*; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene