Extracts of airborne particulates collected at different locations in the Copenhagen area induce the expression of cytochrome P-450IA1

• Published in: Journal of toxicology and environmental health Vol. 30; no. 4; p. 225
• Main Authors: Roepstorff, V, Ostenfeldt, N, Autrup, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1990
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Breast Neoplasms - enzymology; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System - biosynthesis; Denmark; Enzyme Induction - drug effects; Humans; Polycyclic Compounds - analysis; RNA, Messenger - isolation & purification; Tumor Cells, Cultured - drug effects; Tumor Cells, Cultured - enzymology; Denmark
• ISSN: 0098-4108
• DOI: 10.1080/15287399009531426

Acetone extracts of airborne particulates collected at different sites in the greater Copenhagen area were tested for their ability to induce the expression of cytochrome P-450IA1 RNA in a human breast cancer cell line, T47-D. The induction efficiency was expressed as an benz[a] anthracene equivalents, that is, the amount of benz[a]anthracene required to give the same level of induction. A significantly higher level of induction of P-450IA1 RNA was seen with samples collected on days with a smog alert. The inducibility of samples collected in rural areas was lower, but no significant difference in inducibility was found between samples collected in urban and suburban areas. Lack of correlation between the mutagenic activity in the Ames assay and the P-450IA1-inducing activity of the samples suggests that the complex mixture of compounds found in airborne particulates may have different biological activities in the two short-term test systems. Measurements of P-450IA1 inducibility provide a new, sensitive approach to assess the biological activity of material present in air pollution. The presence in airborne particulates of chemical compounds that induce cytochrome P-450IA1 an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of ubiquitous chemical carcinogens, suggests that the general environment may change an individual's response to the impact of exogenous chemicals, including the carcinogens present in cigarette smoke.