Abstract
In order to study the possible interferences of 3,4-benzpyrene with protein macro-molecules, the chemico-physical behaviour of the serum protein system (horse and rabbit serum) has been examined in the presence of the carcinogen. Two colloidal lability reactions and viscosimetric measurements were employed.
Kunkel and Weltmann's reactions of colloidal lability, performed both on pure serum and serum + benzpyrene did not show consistent and regular variations, On the other hand, an interference between 3,4-benzpyrene and proteins is revealed by the anomalous behaviour under the dissolving action of the urea of proteins denatured by the Weltmann's reaction, in the presence of the hydrocarbon. The viscosimetric measurements have been carried out on the serum system before and after denaturation with urea.
The results obtained suggest 3,4-benzpyrene to interfere in the denaturing action of urea, favouring its action.
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