Benzo(a)pyrene Metabolism in the Isolated Perfused Mouse Lung

Abstract

A method is described for preparing and maintaining an isolated perfused and ventilated mouse lung. The preparation is especially suited for studying xenobiotic metabolism or toxicological interactions, in a species with a broad spectrum of studies in pulmonary toxicology. The preparation is viable with respect to drug metabolism for up to two hours, as judged from studies of aniline oxidation to p-aminophenol. With [14C]-benzo(a)pyrene as substrate for the lungs of male ICR Swiss mice, the major ethyl acetate-extractable metabolites are the 3-hydroxy, 9,10-dihydrodiol, 7,8-dihydrodiol, and 4,5-dihydrodiol derivatives. The rates of individual BaP metabolite production are increased in lungs from mice pretreated with Aroclor 1254 or beta-naphthoflavone, substances known to induce increased synthesis of cytochrome P-450. Small amounts of water-soluble BaP metabolites were hydrolyzed by beta-glucuronidase and aryl sulfatase, suggesting the presence of enzymes required for these conjugations. These results support the existence of significant cytochrome P-450-dependent and conjugative BaP metabolism in the intact mouse lung, similar to that examined in other species, and capable of contributing to the systemic metabolism of this carcinogen.

Differences in Pulmonary Metabolism of Benzo(a)pyrene in Inbred Mouse Strains, Using the Isolated Perfused Lung

“…Mouse lung perfusion. A detailed description of the appa ratus and procedure used for perfusing and ventilating mouse lungs is given elsewhere (Skelly & Shertzer 1983). As a precaution against particulate contaminants.…”