The effects of acute and chronic uremia in rats on their hepatic microsomal enzyme activity

The activity of the hepatic microsomal enzymes hexabarbital oxidase, aminopyrine demethylase, and p-nitrobenzoic acid reductase were determined in the chronically uremic rats, acutely uremic rats and controls. Plasma corticoid levels (corticosterone) were also measured in all groups. A significant reduction in the hepatic microsomal enzyme activity as compared to controls was observed in both groups, with the chronic group showing slightly greater reduction. Furthermore, while plasma corticoid levels were significantly elevated in both groups, the acute uremic group had plasma corticoid levels which were almost twice the levels found in the chronically uremic animals. The significance of these observations are discussed.