The influence of 18 environmentally relevant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and Clophen A50, as liver monooxygenase inducers, on the mutagenic activity of benz[a]anthracene in the Ames test

Carcinogenesis. 1984 Jun;5(6):747-52. doi: 10.1093/carcin/5.6.747.

Abstract

In the presence of various liver S9 preparations induced by different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the weak carcinogen, benz[a]anthracene, exhibited mutagenic activities comparable to those of benzo[a]pyrene in the Ames test. A series of positive correlations were found between mutagenic activity and the hydroxylation products of benz[a]anthracene at the 3,4-, 5,6- and 8,9-positions, of which 5,6-position was the most pronounced one (p less than 0.01). Our results suggest that the observed mutagenic activity is due mainly to the generation of K-region epoxides.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benz(a)Anthracenes / toxicity*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology*
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / biosynthesis*
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Mutagens*
  • Mutation*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / toxicity*
  • Polycyclic Compounds / toxicity*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Salmonella typhimurium / drug effects
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Benz(a)Anthracenes
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Mutagens
  • Polycyclic Compounds
  • clophen A50
  • benz(a)anthracene
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases