Inductive effects of rifapentine on mice hepatic mixed function oxidase system

Rifapentine (R773, DL473) is a long-acting antituberculous drug used in China. In our experiments we have found some manifestations of induction of hepatic mixed function oxidase system in mice following pretreatment with rifapentine or phenobarbital. Both rifapentine and phenobarbital significantly increased the rate of antipyrine and pentobarbital metabolism in vivo. They also increased liver weight, the content of liver microsomal protein and cytochrome P-450, the activity of NADPH-cytochrome C reductase and NADPH oxidase. SDS-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the relative proportions of some polypeptide bands in mice microsomal fraction were significantly changed following rifapentine or phenobarbital pretreatment. The results indicate that rifapentine, like phenobarbital, is a potent inducer of hepatic mixed function oxidase system in mice and that it should be used carefully in clinical therapy, when combined with other drugs.