Metabolism of Carcinogenic Heterocyclic Amines in Foods and Establishment of Exposure Level Monitor for these Carcinogens in Humans.

在过去的十年中，一系列新的杂环胺在蛋白质和氨基酸的热解产物中被分离出来，作为潜在的诱变剂，后来在动物中被证明是潜在的致癌物。尽管一些研究人员已经对这些致癌物的代谢进行了研究，但还没有关于这些化合物在人体中的暴露水平和代谢的信息。在这项调查中，我们清楚地证明了以下情况：(1)人类实际上接触到致癌的杂环胺，这些致癌物存在于人类的血浆、红细胞和肝脏、肾脏等器官中。(2)这些致癌物可被人体代谢，其排泄途径主要是通过尿和胆汁。(3)致癌性杂环胺广泛存在于熟食、香烟烟雾、空气微粒等环境成分中。(4)与血红蛋白共价结合的致癌物非常适合监测长期暴露水平。(5)在致癌性杂环胺中，致癌性色氨酸热解产物具有独特的特点：具有惊厥活性，对血小板功能和多巴胺代谢有较强的抑制作用。

During the last decade, a new series of heterocyclic amines has been isolated in pyrolysates of proteins and amino acids as potens mutagens and later shown to be potent carcinogens in animals. Although the metabolism of these carcinogens has been investigated by some investigators, there has been no information about the exposure levels and metabolism of these compounds in humans. In this investigation, we have clearly demonstrated the followings :(1) Humans are actually exposed to carcinogenic heterocyclic amines and these carcinogens are present in human plasma, red blood cells and organs such as liver and kidney.(2) Humans can metabolize these carcinogens, and excretory pathways are via urine and bile in humans.(3) Carcinogenic heterocyclic amines are widely distributed in such components of the environment as cooked foods, cigarette smoke and airborne particles.(4) The carcinogens covalently bound to hemoglobin is very suitable for monitoring long-term exposure levels.(5) Among carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysis products have unique characteristics : Convulsant activities and potent inhibitory effects on platelet function and dopamine metabolism.