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The metabolism by rat liver 9000 x g supernatant of the environmental carcinogen benzo[b]fluoranthene was investigated. The major metabolites were identified, by comparison to synthetic samples, as 5- and 6-hydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene and 4- and 7-hydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene. The principal dihydrodiol metabolite formed under these conditions was trans-11,12-dihydro-11,12-dihydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene, which was identified by comparison to the synthetic compound. 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-dihydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene was identified, by its mass spectrum and by comparison if its u.v. spectrum to that of a synthetic model compound, 11-ethylidene-11H-benzo[b]fluorene. No evidence was obtained for the formation of 7b,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene or trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene. The latter would be the precursor to a bay region dihydrodiol epoxide of benzo[b]fluoranthene.

An extensive series of alkylated phenanthrenes was assayed for mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Among the alkylated phenanthrenes assayed, 1-methylphenanthrene, 9-methylphenanthrene, 1,4-dimethylphenanthrene and 4,10-dimethylphenanthrene were active as mutagens. These studies suggest that the structural requirements favoring mutagenic activity among alkylated phenanthrenes are inhibition of 9,10-dihydrodiol formation and the presence of an unsubstituted angular ring adjacent to a free peri position. The mutagenic activities of 9-fluoro-, 9-chloro-, and 9-bromo-phenanthrene were also evaluated. The positive mutagenic response of these halogenated phenanthrenes further supports the observation that inhibition of 9,10-dihydrodiol formation among substituted phenanthrenes favors mutagenic activity.

The metabolites of benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjF) as formed in vitro using the 9000 X g supernatant from Aroclor-pretreated rats have been identified. Two dihydrodiols, trans-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyBjF and trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxyBjF have been identified as major metabolites by comparison of their spectral and chromatographic properties with those of pure synthetic standards. There was no evidence that any of the isomeric 2,3-dihydrodiol was formed as a metabolite of BjF under these incubation conditions. Neither of the metabolic dihydrodiols of BjF were formed with a high degree of stereoselectivity. The enantiomeric purity of the 4,5-dihydrodiol was 20% while that of the 9,10-dihydrodiol was 46%. At least four phenols were detected among the metabolites of BjF. These were identified as 3-, 4-, 6- and 10-hydroxyBjF based upon comparison of their UV spectra and HPLC retention times with those of synthetic reference standards. BjF-4,5-dione was also identified as a metabolite under these incubation conditions.

The metabolism of 3-, 8- and 9-fluorobenzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F) relative to B[k]F was investigated. The major metabolites of B[k]F formed in vitro using rat liver S-9 metabolism systems were 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxyB[k]F, the 2,3-quinone of B[k]F and 3-, 8- and 9-hydroxyB[k]F. Fluorine substitution within the structure of B[k]F substantially altered the types of metabolites formed in vitro. The most pronounced effect was observed with 9-fluoroB[k]F. In contrast to B[k]F, the 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxy-, 9-hydroxy- and 10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxy derivatives were not detected as metabolites of 9-fluoroB[k]F. However, either the 2,3- or 4,5-dihydrodiol of 9-fluoroB[k]F was detected. In the case of 8-fluoroB[k]F, neither the 8- nor 11-hydroxy- derivatives were detected. The principle dihydrodiols formed from 8-fluoroB[k]F were the 10,11-dihydrodiol and either the 2,3-or 4,5-dihydrodiol. The pattern of metabolites formed with 3-fluoroB[k]F was similar to that observed with B[k]F with the exception that neither the 3- nor 4-hydroxy derivatives were formed. Mass spectral data indicated that fluoro substitution is not lost to any appreciable extent during the metabolism of 3-, 8- and 9-fluoroB[k]F. The mutagenic activity of these B[k]F fluoro derivatives along with B[k]F, 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxyB[k]F, the 2,3-quinone of B[k]F and 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxyB[k]F were evaluated in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 in the presence of rat liver S-9 metabolism systems. 3-FluoroB[k]F was more mutagenic than B[k]F, while both 8- and 9-fluoroB[k]F were less active. While the 2,3-dihydrodiol and 2,3-quinone were weakly active, the 8,9-dihydrodiol had similar mutagenic potency to B[k]F.

the pharmacokinetics of N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in the Syrian golden hamster, the CD-1 mouse, and the baboon were compared to the pharmacokinetics in the Fischer rat. The formation and biological half-life of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), the major metabolite of NNK, was also studied in these animal species. The biological half-life of NNN in these 4 animal species ranged from 0.24 h to 3.06 h, that of NNK from 0.21 h to 0.43 h and NNAL from 0.48 h to 2.9 h. The pharmacokinetic data obtained in the baboon suggest that treatment with NNN and NNK causes an enzyme induction which accelerates the rate of elimination of these compounds.

A series of nitrobiphenyls, nitronaphthalenes, and their methyl-substituted derivatives were assayed for mutagenicity toward S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100. In assays conducted in the absence of rat liver S9 fraction, substitution of a methyl group ortho to the nitro group decreased mutagenicity (3-methyl-4-nitrobiphenyl, 2-methyl-1-nitronaphthalene, and 3-methyl-2-nitronaphthalene). The mutagenicity of 4-nitrobiphenyl was also inhibited by methyl substitution at the 2'-position (2'-methyl-4-nitrobiphenyl), and at both the 3- and 2'-positions (3,2'-dimethyl-4-nitrobiphenyl). In assays conducted in the presence of rat liver S9 fraction, inhibition of mutagenicity by methyl substitution was demonstrated for 2-methyl-1-nitronaphthalene, 3-methyl-2-nitronaphthalene and 3,2'-dimethyl-4-nitrobiphenyl. Thus, methyl substitution of nitrobiphenyls and nitronaphthalenes generally decreased mutagenicity, when assays were conducted in the absence of rat liver S9 fraction. However, in the presence of rat liver S9 fraction, the inhibitory effect of methyl substitution on mutagenicity was less pronounced. These results contrast to the usual enhancing effect of ortho-methyl substitution of the corresponding aromatic amines and their N-oxidized derivatives (hydroxylamines and C-nitroso compounds).

Fluoranthene and pyrene are potent cocarcinogens when applied together with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on mouse skin. In this study the effect of fluoranthene, pyrene and phenanthrene on the formation of BaP--DNA adducts in mouse skin was investigated. Co-application of either fluoranthene or pyrene with [3H]BaP resulted in an average increase in the level of [3H]BaP--DNA adducts of 56% to 66%, respectively, as compared to [3H]BaP alone. Only minor differences were observed in the ratio of (+/-)anti- to (+/-)synbenzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide--DNA adducts between experimental groups. An average 17% decrease in the formation of [3H]BaP--DNA adducts was observed upon co-application of [3H]BaP on mouse skin with phenanthrene. These data suggest a correlation between the observed increase in tumorigenicity of BaP in the presence of either fluoranthene or pyrene and an increase in the formation of (+/-)anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide--DNA adducts.

The mutagenic activity of all 4 isomeric aminocarbazoles and 4 nitrocarbazoles was evaluated in Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA98, TA100 and TA1535. All compounds were assayed both in the presence and absence of liver homogenate from Aroclor-treated rats. Among the aminocarbazoles, 2-aminocarbazole was found to be most active in both tester strains, although somewhat less active than 2-aminofluorene. 3-Aminocarbazole was the only other isomer that was mutagenic towards TA98 at the dose levels employed (5–200 μg). 4-Aminocarbazole was moderately active in TA100, and 1-aminocarbazole was inactive in both TA98 and TA100. Similar differences in mutagenic potency and specificity towards the tester strains were observed for the related series of nitrocarbazoles.

Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant which is active as a tumor initiator and complete carcinogen on mouse skin and is carcinogenic in rat lung. The major metabolites of indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene as formed in vivo in mouse skin have been identified. 8-Hydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene is the most abundant metabolite identified. 9-Hydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene are also major in vivo metabolites in mouse skin. Several minor metabolites were also identified. Among these are trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2,8-trihydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2,9-trihydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene-1,2-dione, and 10-hydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene. The tumor-initiating activity of several of the major in vivo metabolites of indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene has been investigated on mouse skin. Trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and 1,2-dihydro-1,2-epoxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene both produced an 80% incidence of tumor-bearing mice at a total initiating dose of 1.0 mg. The activity of this K-region dihydrodiol and K-region oxide was, however, less than that of the parent hydrocarbon. These data suggest that 1,2-dihydro-1,2-epoxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, which is an ultimate mutagenic metabolite of indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, is not the ultimate tumorigenic metabolite on mouse skin. 8-Hydroxyindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, which is mutagenic when assayed in the presence of a microsomal activation system, exhibited only weak tumor-initiating activity. These results indicate that the principal metabolic activation pathways associated with the mutagenic activity of indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene are not related to its tumor-initiating activity on mouse skin.

The effects of fluorine substitution on benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) DNA adduct formation and tumorigenicity in mouse epidermis were investigated. Fluoro derivatives studied included 1-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- and 11-fluoroB[b]F as well as 1,9- and 6,9-difluoroB[b]F. Each compound was applied topically to mice and hydrocarbon/DNA adduct formation was assessed using the 32P-post-labelling technique. All of the fluorinated compounds bound to DNA to a lesser extent than B[b]F. Among the fluorinated compounds, the greatest binding was observed for 8-fluoroB[b]F. Lowest levels of hydrocarbon/DNA adduct formation from the fluoro derivatives were observed for 1-, 7-, 11- and 6,9-difluoroB[b]F. The tumor-initiating activities on mouse skin of 7-, 9- and 11-fluoroB[b]F were determined. All three compounds were significantly less tumorigenic than B[b]F. The results of this study are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms of metabolic activation of B[b]F.

In an attempt to evaluate the observed relationship of chronic cigarette smoking and reduced thyroid hormone activity, the major urinary metabolites of nicotine were administered to rats for 78 weeks. The animals were divided equally into one control (n = 33) and three treatment groups. Treatment group 1 received 0.1% (w/v continine, group 2 received 0.02% pure trans-nicotine-N'-oxide, and group 3 received 0.02% of a trans/cis mixture (64/36%) of nicotine-N'-oxide. Plasma and urinary nicotine and cotinine concentrations were determined as well as a variety of thyroid hormone parameters. Pure trans-nicotine-N'-oxide was more extensively metabolized to its cotinine end product, relative to the diasteromeric N'-oxides, mixture. Serum triiodothyronine (T3) was markedly reduced in animals receiving nicotine-N'-oxides, but was not different in the cotinine treatment group when compared to control values. A reduction in serum thyroxine (T4) values was noted only among those rats receiving the pure trans-nicotine-N'-oxide. The T3/T4 ratio, free T3 index, T3 uptake, and rT3 were altered in animals receiving nicotine-N'-oxides. These findings indicate that specific nicotine metabolites alter thyroid hormone concentrations after chronic low-dose administration and possibly do so through back conversion to the parent compound, nicotine.

Quinoline is a hepatocarcinogen in mice and rats, a mutagen in Salmonella typhimurium, and induces unscheduled DNA synthesis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. In contrast, isoquinoline has not been shown to be genotoxic. The metabolites of quinoline and isoquinoline, as formed in vitro with rat liver homogenate, were identified to investigate possible molecular bases for the differences in their biological activity. The ethyl acetate extractable metabolites of quinoline and isoquinoline were analyzed directly by high pressure liquid chromatography and, after silylation, by capillary gas chromatography. The major metabolite of quinoline was 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydroquinoline. Lesser amounts of 2- and 3-hydroxyquinoline and quinoline-N-oxide were also identified as metabolites. 1-, 4- and 5-Hydroxyiso-quinoline and isoquinoline-N-oxide were detected as metabolites of isoquinoline. 5,6-Dihydroxy-5,6-dihydroiso-quinoline was detected as only a minor metabolite. This difference in the extent to which these isomers are ultimately metabolized to dihydrodiols may be associated with their differences in biological activity. Quinoline, 4-methylquinoline and 7-methylquinoline were bioassayed as tumor initiators on the skin of Sencar mice. While 4-methylquinoline was at least as potent a tumor initiator as quinoline, 7-methylquinoline was not significantly tumorigenic in this assay. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that formation of the 5,6-epoxide of quinoline is associated with its metabolic activation to a tumorigen.

The extent to which some of the more prevalent and potent carcinogens in cigarette smoke could be transferred from circulating blood into the milk of lactating rats was determined. One hour after i.v. administration of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) to the dams, the levels of these carcinogens were determined in both blood and milk specimens. The average amount of radioactivity detected 1 h after administration of 14C-labeled BaP was 0.21% of the administered dose per ml of milk as compared with 0.17% per ml of blood. The amount of NNN in milk ranged from 0.20 to 0.36% of the administered dose per ml which closely paralleled the levels detected in blood. NNK is readily converted in vivo to 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL). The sum of NNK and NNAL was similar in the blood and milk of treated dams. There was, however, a major difference in the ratio of NNAL/NNK as detected in milk and blood. The ratio of NNAL/NNK in blood ranged from 1.3:1 to 1.9:1 while the ratio in milk ranged from 2.4:1 to 3.3:1. In a comparative study of the levels of NNN in the blood and milk of lactating rats at less than 1.0, 20, 60, 120 and 240 min after administration, it was confirmed that similar concentrations of NNN are present in blood and milk 1 h after administration. These data indicate that these carcinogens, which are present in both cigarette smoke and tobacco, can be transferred into the milk of lactating rats.

A series of bisbenzimidazoles related to Hoechst 33342 were synthesized. Data on the relative activity of these bisbenzimidazoles as topoisomerase I poisons suggest that considerable flexibility exists in the location of the tertiary alkylamine moeity. With the exception of arylamine analogs, cytotoxicity was generally consistent with their relative potency as topoisomerase I poisons.

The aryl 2-chloroprop-2-enyl ethers (1a–g), prepared from the appropriate phenols by treatment with 2,3-dichloropropene, underwent smooth Claisen rearrangement to the 2-(2-chloroprop-2-enyl)phenols (2a–g), acid-catalysed cyclization of which afforded the 2-methylbenzo[b]furans (4a–g). The chloropropenyl thioethers (5a–e) yielded the 2-methylbenzo[b]thiophens (6a–e) directly when heated at 200 °C in NN-diethylaniline. Attempts to prepare 2-methylindoles by this method failed. 3-Chloro-1-phenoxybut-2-ene (7a) cyclized thermally to give 4-methyl-2H-chromen (9a). Similar attempts to prepare 1,2-dihydro-4-methylquinoline (12) and 4-methyl-2H-thiochromen (18) failed.

2-Methylbenzo[b]furans and 2-methylbenzo[b]-thiophens were prepared in good yield from the corresponding chloroallyl phenyl ethers and chloroallyl phenyl sulphides, respectively.