INDUCTION OF HEPATIC MIXED-FUNCTION OXIDASES BY PHOTOMIREX

Various parameters associated with the hepatic mixed function oxidase system were studied in hepatic microsomal preparations of male rats exposed to a dietary level of 50 ppm photomirex for 15 days.Hydroxylation of pentobarbital and hexobarbital was increased in excess of twofold while hydroxylation of aniline was increased approximately 1.5-fold. N-Demethylation of aminopyrine was elevated approximately threefold while that of ethylmorphine was only slightly increased. Components of the electron transport system and substrate binding to microsomal protein were also found to be significantly increased by exposure to photomirex. These results suggest that photomirex is similar to mirex and Kepone in its potential for altering hepatic function. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.