Abstract
TInhalation is one of the main routes of human exposure to hazardous exogenous chemicals. These exogenous chemicals can be activated or detoxicated by various enzymes existing in the lungs, such as cytochrome P450, prostaglandin H synthase, lipoxygenase and glutathione S-transferase, to generate corresponding biological effects, lead to structural and functional changes, and result in toxic effects. In order to elucidate the relationship between the in situ metabolism of exogenous chemicals in the lungs and their carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic mechanisms, this article summarizes the latest research progress from four perspectives:?aflatoxin B1 is metabolized to aflatoxin B1-8, 9-epoxide in the lungs; carbon chain compounds are metabolized by enzymes into reactive intermediates such as epoxides, hydroxides, and diazocompounds;?aromatic compounds are metabolized into reactive intermediates such asquinones, epoxides and esters in the lungs;?inorganic compounds generate methylated metabolites and metal ions under the metabolism of methyltransferases and reducing agents in the lungs; as well as the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of these reactive intermediates or final carcinogens to the lungs.