Inverse correlation between species lifespan and capacity of cultured fibroblasts to convert benzo(a)pyrene to water-soluble metabolites

Diploid fibroblasts from lung and skin of eight mammalian species were cultured and the capacity of these cell strains to convert benzo(a)pyrene (BP) to water-soluble metabolites was determined. The rate of conversion is dependent upon culture density and varies widely among different species. There is a very good inverse correlation between species lifespan and the capacity of cultured fibroblasts from these species to metabolize BP to water-soluble forms. Since these cell systems have also shown a good inverse correlation between species lifespan and biological activity of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), these data suggest that the capacity to metabolize polycyclic hydrocarbon carcinogens may be closely related to lifespan in mammalian species.