Cumene hydroperoxide reversibility

Rat liver microsomes also catalyzed benzo[a]pyrene metabolism in cumene hydroperoxide (CHP)-dependent reactions which ultimately produced 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene-quinones (Cavalieri et al. 1987). At low CHP concentrations, 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene was the major metabolite. As CHP concentrations increased, levels of quinones increased and levels of 3- hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene decreased. This effect of varying CHP levels was reversed by preincubating with pyrene. Pyrene inhibited quinone production and increased 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene production. Pretreatment with other PAHs like naphthalene, phenanthrene, and benz[a]anthracene nonspecifically inhibited the overall metabolism. The binding of benzo[a]pyrene to microsomal proteins correlated with quinone formation. This suggested that a reactive intermediate was a common precursor. The effects of pyrene on benzo[a]pyrene metabolism indicated that two distinct microsomal binding sites were responsible for the formation of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene-quinone (Cavalieri et al. 1987). 

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