Biochemical Studies on the Drug Metabolism (V)

TL;DR: Electronmicroscopical picture of liver from DHA-treated rat showed a marked proliferation of smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in the hepatic cell, which was discussed in connection with the inductive effect of some drugs on the metabolism of drugs.

Abstract: The effects of food preservatives on the metabolism of drugs were investigated using female rats. Among five preservatives dehydroacetic acid (DHA) showed some stimulating effect on the metabolism of drugs. The pretreatment of female rats with 200mg/kg of DHA daily for 7 or 10 days shortened the duration of hypnosis by 100mg/kg of hexobarbital. The liver preparation from DHA-treated rat had higher activity of N-demethylation of aminopyrine, hydroxylation of hexobarbital or cyclobarbital, aromatic hydroxylation of aniline, and hydrolysis of parathion than control. DHA increased glycogen content but did not change the amount of crude fat in liver. Electronmicroscopical picture of liver from DHA-treated rat showed a marked proliferation of smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in the hepatic cell. These observations were discussed in connection with the inductive effect of some drugs on the metabolism of drugs.