Metabolism of the carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene in human bone marrow preparations

The metabolism of 3-methylcholanthrene was investigated by incubating the hydrocarbon with human bone marrow preparations in air for 60 min at 37 degrees C. The major metabolites were identified by HPLC and GC/MS as 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene, 1-keto-3-methylcholanthrene, and cholanthrene. The results demonstrate that the potent carcinogen, 3-methylcholanthrene, can undergo biochemical reactions in preparations of human bone marrow, giving rise to the formation of metabolites which are known to be carcinogenic in rats and mice.