Effect of benzo(a)pyrene and chlorpromazine on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity from rat tissues.

ABSTRACT

PIP The effects of 3,4-benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and chlorpromazine (CP) on th e distribution and relative levels of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) in rat tissue were studied in vitro. The metabolism of AHH in BP-treated lymph node, lung, prostate, kidney, salivary glands, liver, spleen and mammary gland was markedly increased, while only lung, liver, and kidney tissue showed a marked increase in CP experiments. Prior to treatment, the metabolism of polycyclic hydrocarbons occurred primarily in the liver. However, kidney and lung tissues became much more important in metabolizing these hydrocarbons after exposure to BP or CP. The importance of AHH activity in protective tissues of entry into the body is discussed.^ieng