Metabolism of Benzo(a)pyrene in Monolayer Cultures of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells from a Series of Donors

摘要

Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) metabolism was measured in monolayer cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells derived from eighteen specimens of explanted tissue. Bronchial epithelial cells converted B(a)P to dihydrodiols, phenols, quinione derivatives, and polyhydroxylated forms. Sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of B(a)P metabolites were also detected. Both total metabolism and distribution of metabolites showed a 10-fold or greater variation in cultures from different specimens. When the data were divided according to smoking status, however, no differences in total metabolism, extent of conjugation, or distribution of metabolites could be demonstrated between the two groups. The results suggest that human bronchial epithial cells which are newly grown from explanted tissue of smokers in culture do not demonstrate enzymatic induction.