The effects of antioxidants on the metabolism and mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene in vitro.

Antioxidants inhibit the rat liver microsomal mixed-function-oxidase-catalysed hydroxylation of benzoa]pyrene. These antioxidants also decrease the formation of mutagenic products from benzoa]pyrene as judged by the Ames bacterial-mutagenicity assay B.N. Ames, J. McCann & E. Yamazaki (1975) Mutat. Res. 31, 347-364]. It is suggested that antioxidants exert their protective effect against cancer by inhibiting the formation of carcinogenic metabolites.