Seasonal variation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in human lymphocytes.

A seasonal variation was observed when aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity was measured in the cultured lymphocytes of 977 donors over a period of 2 1/2 years. The variation was strongest in AHH activity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and was less apparent for AHH activity in lymphocytes grown without any inducer. The period of the seasonal variation is 1 year, and maximal induced AHH activity occurs during late summer and early fall with minimal activity 6 months later. Based on the average of all individuals tested during the highest and lowest weeks, induced AHH activity can be as much as 10-fold higher during the peak season. It is not possible to tell from these experiments whether the seasonal variation is tissue specific, occurring only in lymphocytes, or characteristic of microsomal oxidases in other tissues as well.