Epoxide hydratase and glutathione S-transferase activities in human lungs.

It has been reported human lung has cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase activity which is necessary for the formation of mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo[a]pyrene. We now report epoxide hydratase and glutathione S-transferase, enzymes important in the further metabolism of certain benzo[a]pyrene metabolites formed by the monooxygenase system, have been detected in human lung tissues from patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer.