METABOLIC ACTIVATION OF AFLATOXIN B₁ BY HUMAN PLACENTAL MICROSOMES

Abstract

The metabolic activation of aflatoxin B₁ by human placental microsomes was studied. Aflatoxin B₁ showed relatively high mutagenic activity in Ames test when incubated with human placental microsomes. Addition of α-naphthoflavone or aminoglutethimide, known inhibitors of cytochrome P450 1A and P450 19, respectively, into the test system partially inhibited the mutagen-producing activity. It was suggested that the activation of aflatoxin B₁ in human placental microsomes is mediated by at least these two forms of cytochrome P450.