[Effects of ethylene oxide inhalation on mice]

Male ddY mice were exposed to ethylene oxide (EO) at a concentration of 400 ppm, 6 hours a day, 3 days a week for 13 weeks and the effects of EO on the hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes were investigated. The liver and spleen weight per body weight did not change. Compared to the control group, the kidney weight of the exposed group increased while the testis weight decreased significantly. Hematological examination showed macrocytic anemia in the exposed group. Contents of microsomal cytochrome P-450 in the exposed group increased twice as much as that in the control group, while microsomal protein, cytochrome b5, protoheme and NADPH-cytochrome C reductase activity did not change. NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity of the exposed group increased significantly. Among the glutathione related enzymes in the liver, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the exposed group decreased but glutathione-S-transferase activity increased significantly.