Mutagenicity and in vivo disposition of biliary metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene.

Rabbits and rats administered [3H]benzo(a)pyrene (BP; 40 mumol/kg, i.v.) excreted, via the bile, metabolites which increased reverse gene mutation frequency in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 when incubated with beta-glucuronidase. Glucuronic acid conjugates of BP 4,5-diol, BP 1,6-, 3,6- and 6,12-quinones were detected in rat bile with low levels of 3- and 9-OH BP and BP 7,8- and 9,10-diols. In rabbits BP 9,10-diol was the major aglycone along with smaller amounts of BP 1,6- and 3,6-quinones, BP 4,5- and 7,8-diols and 3- and 9-OH BP. Qualitatively similar metabolic profiles were found when animals were given 3 mumol/kg [3H]BP. When 3H-labelled biliary metabolites, which contained the mutagenic component, were administered intraduodenally to rats, radioactivity reached the systemic circulation but DNA adducts were not detectable (less than 0.03 pmol/mg DNA) in tissues (intestinal wall, liver and lung) exposed to the reabsorbed metabolites.