Petrogenic PAHs (PPAHs) represent a human health hazard associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill since they can enter into the food-chain. PPAHs are heavily alkylated or become oxygenated during weathering and their metabolic fate is unknown. The metabolism of 1-(1-methylpropyl)-naphthalene, 1-methyl-phenanthrene, 9-ethyl-phenanthrene, 1-methyl-7-isopropyl-phenanthrene (retene), 5-methyl-chrysene , and 6-ethyl-chrysene (representative alkylated PPAHs), and the metabolism of acenaphthenequinone, 1,4-anthraquinone and 9,10-phenanthrequinone (representative oxygenated PPAHs) was examined in human HepG2 cells. Metabolites were identified by HPLC-UV/Fluorescence, LC-MS/MS and UPLC-HRMS using authentic standards were possible. PPAHs with terminal benzo-rings showed formation of diol-epoxides (P450 derived) and o-quinones and catechol conjugates (AKR derived). There was little evidence for metabolism on the alkyl side chains. Oxygenated PPAHs showed formation of catechol conjugates that can no longer redox-cycle indicating this as a potential detoxication mechanism. The consistent detection of catechol conjugates indicate that they could be used as biomarkers of human exposure to PPAH. P450 mediated phase I metabolism but not phase II metabolism was inhibited by the Macondo Oil indicating that parental PPAHs might biopersist after ingestion (Supported by U19ES020676-03 to TMP).

Metabolic fate of petrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) resulting from the Deepwater Horizon spill in human hepatoma cells

248th National Meeting (2014)

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