Metabolism of N-methylcarbazole by rat lung microsomes

N-methylcarbazole (NMC) is a procarcinogenic component of tobacco smoke particulate matter. It is metabolized by liver microsomes into some hydroxylated metabolites such as the potent mutagen N-hydroxymethylcarbazole (NHMC). Lung metabolism and toxicity of NMC is not known. Since the lung is the primary organ of inhalation of tobacco smoke, NMC metabolism by lung microsomes was studied in comparison with the metabolism by liver microsomes. Liver or lung microsomes (1 mg/mL) were incubated with 0.5 mM NMC for 30 min at 37 degrees C. NMC metabolites were extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Rat lung microsomes metabolized NMC with a similar profile to liver microsomes, although lung microsomes produced greater number of metabolites. The potent mutagen NHMC was also the major NMC metabolite produced by lung microsomes, as confirmed by particle beam mass spectrometry. However, lung microsomes produced only 10% of NHMC produced by liver microsomes. Metabolism of NMC by lung microsomes also led to depletion of the endogenous antioxidant glutathione by 34% compared to controls, indicating a significant generation of some reactive intermediates during NMC metabolism by lung microsomes. The data show that the lung participates directly in producing the potent mutagen NHMC from NMC present in tobacco smoke.