Induction of mixed-function oxidase activity in mouse lymphoid tissues by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Alteration of cytochrome P-450 and glutathione S-transferase activity in normal and malignant human stomach

Cytochrome P-450 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were investigated in stomach tumor and tumor-adjacent tissues of patients (n = 211) with gastric adenocarcinoma, and in the stomach tissues of unaffected individuals (normal tissues, n = 113). A significant reduction in total cytochrome P-450 activity was observed in tumor and tumor-adjacent tissues versus normal stomach. In all cases, cytochrome P-450 activity was significantly higher in males than in females. In the case of smokers, cytochrome P-450 activity was 1.8-fold higher in tumor-adjacent than in corresponding tumor tissues, but no difference was observed in nonsmokers. Patients had significantly lower GST activity in tumor and tumor-adjacent tissues compared to normal tissues. Smokers showed lower GST activity in both tumor and tumor-adjacent tissues compared to nonsmokers. In addition, GST activity was significantly lower in tissues positive for Helicobacter pylori infection than in H. pylori-negative tissues. However, the frequency of H. pylori infection was higher in tumor-adjacent (69%) than in tumor (45%) or normal tissues (44%). Our data suggest that diminished GST enzymes activity and increased cytochrome P-450 activity in normal and tumor-adjacent tissues might be due to the direct effect of the H. pylori infection and cigarette smoking, respectively. Data indicate that alterations in the activities of cytochrome P450 and GST may in part be associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer.

Effects of naphthalene and naphthalene metabolites on the in vitro humoral immune response

Naphthalene-induced pulmonary and renal toxicity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced carcinogenesis are known to be mediated by their reactive metabolites. Subchronic exposure (90 d) of mice to naphthalene does not alter humoral and cellular-mediated immune responses, whereas polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo[a]pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene, are known to be immunosuppressive. To understand these differences, the antibody-forming cell (AFC) responses of splenocyte cultures exposed to naphthalene (2, 20, and 200 microM) were evaluated. At these concentrations, the antibody-forming cell response to sheep red blood cells (RBC) was not affected. To determine if reactive metabolites of naphthalene were immunosuppressive, splenocytes were exposed to naphthalene metabolites by direct addition or through the use of a metabolic activation system. The addition of 1-naphthol (70 and 200 microM) and 1,4-naphthoquinone (2, 7, and 20 microM) resulted in a decreased antibody-forming cell response. Suppression of AFC responses was also obtained by culturing splenocytes with liver S9 and naphthalene. Since splenic metabolism of naphthalene to nonimmunosuppressive metabolites may account for the absence of immunotoxicity, the types of naphthalene metabolites generated by splenic microsomes were determined. It was observed that splenic microsomes were unable to generate any detectable naphthalene metabolites, whereas liver microsomes were able to generate both 1,2-naphthalene diol and 1-naphthol. Thus, the absence of an immunosuppressive effect by naphthalene exposure may be related to the inability of splenocytes to metabolize naphthalene. Moreover, the concentration of naphthalene metabolites generated within the liver that may diffuse to the spleen may be inadequate to produce immunotoxicity.