Metabolism of 7,12-Dimethylbenz( a )anthracene by Hamster Liver Homogenates
Abstract
1. 7,12-Dimethylbenz( a )anthracene was metabolized by Syrian hamster liver homogenate to ethyl acetate-soluble products identified as dihydrodiols, phenols, hydroxymethyl derivatives and a carboxylic acid. The water-soluble metabolites induced a glutathione conjugate. 2. The dihydrodiols detected included the K-region derivative, trans -5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-7,12-dimethylbenz( a )anthracene, not previously found in incubations with liver homogenates. 3. Comparative experiments showed that 7,12-dimethylbenz( a )anthracene was metabolized more extensively by hamster liver homogenate than by similar preparations of rat and mouse liver.