Effect of inducers on hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system of male rats during food restriction

Phenobarbital (PB; 80 mg/kg, ip) or 3-methylcholantrene (3-MC; 20 mg/kg, ip) was administered to Wistar male rats at the end of the feeding period of 30 days and the effects of food restriction (FR) and FR followed by inducer treatment on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, microsomal electron transport components, NADPH dependent lipid peroxidation and glutathione-s-transferase activities were studied. In both, PB and 3-MC treatment, the magnitude of increase in microsomal protein content, cytochrome b5 and aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND) activity was less in FR animals than in ad libitum fed; while cytochrome P-450 levels and activities of cytochrome c reductase and acetanilide hydroxylase (ACOH) were higher in FR animals. NADPH dependent lipid peroxidation and cytosolic glutathione-s-transferase activity were also enhanced due to PB and 3-MC treatment but the magnitude of increase was less in FR animals. The ACOH activity increased to a greater extent than APND activity in FR animals following PB and 3-MC treatment. It is suggested that the response to inducers in the FR animals differ from that in the ad libitum fed rats.