Abstract: | Treatment of rats with certain polycyclic hydrocarbons shifts the hydroxylation of dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) by liver microsomes from the side-chain to the ring. Protection by these hydrocarbons against dimethylbenzanthracene-induced adrenal necrosis is possibly achieved by decreasing the yield of the 7-hydroxymethyl derivative of dimethylbenzanthracene which may act as the necrotic agent by virtue of its strutctural resemblance to the adrenocortical steroids. |