Purified DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H (quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase (EC.1.6.99.2)] from Walker cells was used to investigate the reductive metabolism of 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide (SR 4233) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In the presence of NADPH, under aerobic conditions, HPLC analysis showed the four-electron reduction product 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine (SR 4330) was the major reaction product. In contrast, anaerobically, the 2-electron reduction product 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1-oxide (SR 4317) was the predominant metabolite. Anaerobic reduction of SR 4233 to the known metabolites SR 4317 and SR 4330, catalyzed by DT-diaphorase, was 3-fold higher than reduction under aerobic conditions. Anaerobically, approximately half of the substrate utilized could not be accounted for by the formation of known products. Aerobically, the majority of the SR 4233 lost could be accounted for by its conversion to SR 4317 and SR 4330. In Walker cells incubated with SR 4233 anaerobically, SR 4317 was the major metabolite formed. Dicoumarol (100 microM) had little effect on the rate of formation of this metabolite in this cell line or in a rat liver epithelial derived (JBJ) cell line. Dicoumarol did however partially reduce the induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis caused by SR 4233 in Walker cells but not in JB1 cells, suggesting the action of dicoumarol may be specific to Walker cells. It is concluded that DT-diaphorase plays only a minor role in the overall reduction of SR 4233 in the two cell lines studied.