Benzo[a]pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone induce oxidative stress in hepatoma hepa 1c1c7 Cells by an AHR-dependent pathway.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been shown to cause oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo in various animal models but the mechanisms by which these compounds produce oxidative stress are unknown. In the current study we have investigated the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by its cognate ligands and the consequent effect on cyp1a1 activity, mRNA and protein expressions. For this purpose, Hepa 1c1c7 cells wild-type (WT) and C12 mutant cells, which are AHR-deficient, were incubated with increasing concentrations of the AHR-ligands, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P, 0.