Extracellular metabolites of 2-aminofluorene in cultures of rapid and slow acetylator rabbit hepatocytes as a model for urinary and biliary metabolism.

N-acetylation is involved in determining species susceptibility to carcinogenicity by certain aromatic amines. In order to further investigate this relationship, the biotransformation of 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) by monolayer cultures of hepatocytes isolated from rapid and slow acetylator rabbits was studied. Analysis of biotransformation products liberated by cells was used as an indication of metabolites that would be excreted in the urine and bile. Hepatocytes from both acetylator phenotypes were found to extensively biotransform 2-AF. The overall rates of metabolism and the types of products formed were similar in the two phenotypes, although the quantity of several products differed. Hepatocyte cultures from rapid acetylators released a greater proportion of acetylated metabolites. Rapid acetylator hepatocytes released predominantly ring-hydroxylated-2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) while the major product from the slow acetylator cultures was conjugated 2-AF. The amounts of extracellular N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene were similar in both phenotypes. No phenotype-dependent differences in extracellular metabolites were noted when hepatocytes were incubated with 2-AAF. These results indicate that hepatocytes from both phenotypes have similar capacities to excrete N-hydroxy-2-AAF and to detoxify the parent aromatic amine. These findings can be related to the carcinogenicity of 2-AF in either phenotype.