[Effect of antioxidants on the carcinogenic and mutagenic activity of benzo[a]pyrene]

The changes in toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in combination with two new phenolic antioxidants, phenosan-acid and -ester, were studied. Although both phenols investigated were characterized by marked toxic and mutagenic activity, their combination with BP appeared to protect mammalian cells against the action of the carcinogenic substance. A distinct correlation between inhibition of the mutagenic and toxic activities of BP and the dose of antioxidants was observed. The effect of phenosans on skin carcinogenesis induced by BP depended to a larger degree on the conditions of application of test substances. When combined applications of BP and antioxidants to the skin of mice were used, phenosans suppressed carcinogenesis, thus prolonging the latent period of tumor induction. When two-stage scheme of carcinogenesis was applied, a tendency for development predominantly benign skin tumors under the influence of antioxidants was noted. The use of the new phenolic antioxidants--phenosan-acid and -ester--seems to offer advantage in reducing mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.