Induction of Benzo[α]pyrene Hydroxylase in Human Skin

Abstract
Foreskins from children who were circumcised 2 to 4 days after birth contain an enzyme system that hydroxylates the carcinogen benzo[α]pyrene. When foreskin was cultured for 16 hours in the presence of 10 micromolar benz[α]anthracene, a two- to fivefold increase in activity of benzo[α]pyrene hydroxylase was obtained. An evaluation of the basal activity and inducibility of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes in human tissues may provide a means of determining the ability of different individuals to metabolize carcinogens.
Keywords

This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit: