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. 1979 Jul;40(1):105–112. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1979.146

Differential effects of antioxidants, steroids and other compounds on benzo(a)pyrene 3-hydroxylase activity in various tissues of rat.

A D Rahimtula, P K Zachariah, P J O'Brien
PMCID: PMC2009946  PMID: 454558

Abstract

Antioxidants were found to inhibit the mixed-function oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene in several tissues of untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene-pretreated rats. The enzyme systems in the liver, kidney and stomach were much more susceptible to inhibition than those in the lung, adrenal, colon and small intestine. In all tissues except the stomach it was found that 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment led to a decrease in inhibition of benzo(a)pyrene 3-hydroxylase activity. It is suggested that antioxidants exert their protective effect against cancer by inhibiting the formation of carcinogenic metabolites. Of the various steroids tested, only 17 beta-oestradiol and oestrone were significantly inhibitory in most tissues. Cholesterol was found to increase benzo(a)pyrene 3-hydroxylase activity in the gastrointestinal tract.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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