MECHANISM OF EFFECT OF ACUTE STRESS ON HEXOBARBITAL METABOLISM

The effect of acute stress (unilateral hind-leg ligation for 1 h) on hepatic metabolism of hexobarbital (HB) was studied in the rat. A stress duration-response relationship was found for stress inhibition of HB metabolism. The hepatic microsomal protein content was not affected, but the hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content was reduced approximately 45% by this stress treatment. Stress caused a 2-fold increase in plasma corticosterone level and had no effect on plasma corticosterone level of adrenalectomized rats. Hexobarbital metabolism was not affected by stress in adrenalectomized rats. Hexobarbital metabolism was not affected by stress in adrenalectomized rats. The inhibition of hepatic HB metabolism by acute stress may be caused by the increased release of corticosterone induced by acute stress.