Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism by the hepatopancreas and green gland of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, in vitro.

The aim of this study was to determine the potential of activating the pro-carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), elucidating B[a]P metabolite profiles, and to determine pyridine nucleotide-independent peroxygenase activity of Procambarus clarkii hepatopancreas and green gland microsomal cytochromes P450 in vitro. We compare these data to metabolite profiles generated with the rat (Rattus norvegicus) system. The major NAD(P)H-dependent metabolite formed by both hepatopancreas and green gland microsomal fractions was 3-OH-B[a]Pi; cumene hydroperoxide-dependent metabolism of B[a]P produced primarily B[a]P-quinones. B[a]P hydroxylase activity is limited by low microsomal NAD(P)H-dependent cytochrome P450 reductase levels and activity.