Induction of rat hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes by substituted urea herbicides

Effects of eight structurally closely related substituted urea herbicides were investigated on the induction of cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase enzyme complex, as well as on two conjugating enzymes after short-term treatment of rats. Liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 content was induced approximately by 50%. Cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase activities showed a great variety depending on the substrate and on the herbicide. Two-18-fold induction was detected with 7-ethoxycoumarin, while up to 8-fold induction was measured with benzo(a)pyrene. Aldrin epoxidase activities were increased up to 3-fold, and aminopyrine N-demethylase activities were only slightly different from the control level. UDP-glucuronyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase activities were enhanced up to 2-fold. The results indicate that chemical structure of the related substituted urea compounds, the number of halogen substituents on their phenyl group exert a strong influence on the induction of monooxygenases.