ABSTRACT
The intake of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and their distribution in the organism are dependent on numerous physiological, physical, and chemical factors which have still not been sufficiently elucidated. Induction of monooxygenase by cigarette and marijuana smoke probably also has to be seen in connection with the monooxygenase-inducing capacity of PAH. A low inducibility by PAH and a distinct induction of epoxide hydrolase by phenobarbital was observed in the liver of guinea pigs. Dehydration of dihydrodiols by dehydrogenases in the liver has repeatedly been described and plays a role in the metabolism of at least some PAH. A method for separating PAH-containing and PAH-free nucleosides formed after enzymatic cleavage of nucleic acids has been reported. For a long time the hydration of PAH epoxides was considered a “detoxification” of PAH in the organism. The reaction of PAH epoxides with glutathione is catalyzed by the glutathione-S-epoxide transferase system present in the cytoplasm.
