Differential protection by human glutathione S-transferase P1 against cytotoxicity of benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, or their dihydrodiol metabolites, in bi-transgenic cell lines that co-express rat versus human cytochrome P4501A1.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are activated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes, and a subset of the reactive metabolites generated is detoxified via conjugation with glutathione (GSH) by specific glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). We have used V79MZ cells stably transfected with either human or rat cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), alone or in combination with human GSTP1 (hGSTP1), to examine the dynamics of activation versus detoxification of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P), and their dihydrodiol metabolites. The cytotoxicity of B[a]P or DB[a,l]P was 9-11-fold greater in cells expressing human, as compared to rat CYP1A1, despite similar enzymatic activities.

Human intestinal Caco-2 cells display active transport of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites.

Epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract are challenged by exposure to many potentially toxic agents including the well-known food contaminant benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). They are equipped with a variety of Phase 1- and Phase 2-enzymes that are able to metabolize B[a]P. Furthermore, transmembranous ABC-transport proteins are expressed at the apical pole of these cells.

Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic compounds in the urine of mining workers occupationally exposed to diesel exhaust.

Diesel exhaust is considered a probable human carcinogen by the IARC. Biomonitoring of workers occupationally exposed to diesel exhaust was performed to determine their internal burden of diesel associated aromatic compounds. Personal air sampling also allowed to determine the exposure of the miners at their work place towards several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitro-arenes, the latter of which are thought to be specific constituents of diesel exhaust.