[Inductive effects of N-(benzoyloxy-2-ethyl)norfenfluramine (benfluorex) on hepatic microsomal enzymes in rats]

Male Wistar rate were treated with benfluorex, 50 mg/kg/p.p. daily for 7 days. The administration of benfluorex markedly increased the activity of ethoxycoumarin deethylase without increase of cytochrome P 450 levels in hepatic microsomes. The activity of bilirubin glucuronosyl transferase is so much increased with benfluorex than phenobarbital but this effects are not additive. Benfluorex alone affected the fatty acid composition of microsomal lecithins and when given with phenobarbital benfluorex modified the phenobarbital-induced changes in the fatty acid composition of microsomal lecithins. Electrophoresis of microsomal proteins showed non sensitive induction of any proteins with benfluorex.