Comparative patterns of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and their possible correlation with chromosomal aberrations...

The differential levels of induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (cyt. P-450), UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT), cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase (GSHT) activities, and major chromosomal aberrations were evaluated over various periods of time, following tumor transplantation in male Swiss Albino mice. Changes in the above markers were studied (1) to monitor the entire carcinogenic process and (2) to test the suitability of chemopreventive exposures in terms of phase and duration of tumor growth. The microsomal cyt. P-450 content and the UDPGT activity were significantly elevated (p < 0.01-0.001) from the early stages of tumor growth while the cytosolic GSHT activity reached its highest level (p < 0.01-0.001) only 10 days after tumor transplantation. During the later stages of tumor growth all the biotransforming enzyme activities showed a downhill trend, which was significantly lower than that of their normal counterparts (p < 0.01-0.001). The frequency of different chromosomal aberrations, which were of major structural, numerical, and physiological types, increased steadily throughout the entire length of the carcinogenic process (30 +/- 2 days).