Mixed function oxidase and glutathione S-transferase activities in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes

The carcinogenic activity of some chemicals may be related to uncoupling of metabolism mediated by the mixed function oxygenase system. The intermediate formation of reactive epoxides or hydroxylamines may be eliminated by glutathione S-transferase. The ratio between these 2 enzymic activities may indicate if individuals are prone to cancerous development. If adequate cellular samples are available, assay of these enzymes may be used to trace individuals at risk. Therefore the present paper estimates these 2 enzymic activities (i.e., aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and N-demethylation, the metabolite forming enzyme activities and glutathione S-transferase, the metabolite detoxifying enzymes), in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 35 subjects. Their median age was 34 years. AHH activity was increased by 52% in the lymphocyte homogenate and by 45% in the microsomal fraction of smokers when compared with non-smokers. The enzyme activity also increased by 73% in the homogenate and by 93% in the microsomes of those taking drugs. The activity of N-demethylase increased by 212% in microsomes of smokers. However, the glutathione S-transferase activity decreased by about 2% in the lymphocyte homogenate and cytosol of smokers. The subjects taking drugs showed a decrease in this enzyme activity by 8% in the homogenate and by 37% in the cytosol.