title: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons enhance the production of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced superoxide ions in human monocytes.
abstract: Monocytes, separated from peripheral blood, preincubated with a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) show an enhanced production of superoxide ions (O2-.) when the cells are stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, direct activator of protein kinase C). When opsonized-zymosan is used as a stimulus (receptor-dependent stimulus), no enhanced production of O2-. is observed. Superoxide production increases dose dependently up to a PAH concentration of 5 microg/ml. Although the effect was rather small (125-145% of the control value), it was significant and reproducible. Similar enhancing activity was also observed in the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) excluding an inhibitory effect of PAHs on the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Since the effect is related to the concentration of PMA and in the absence of stimulus, the O2-. is undetectable in both the control and in the PAHs-treated cells, it is concluded that the over production of O2-. is due to an increased activity of the NADPH oxidase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fabiani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minelli
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mezzasoma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vecchiarelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morozzi
mesh_terms: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000633:toxicity*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D013481:Superoxides; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate