Mutagenic effects of benzo[ a]pyrene after metabolic activation by hepatic 9000 g supernatants or intact hepatocytes

Abstract

The activating capacities of isolated rat hepatocytes and 9000 g supernatant from these cells with respect to them mutagenic effect of benzo[ a]yperene on Salmonella typhimurium TA100 were investigated. No mutagenicity of benzo[ a]pyrene was found with the cell-mediated assay, unless the hepatocytes were disrupted after pre-incubation with benzo[ a]pyrene or the intracellular glutathione content was reduced. It is suggested that a retention of active metabolites and an effective detoxication may account for the absence of mutagenic response.