Effect of protein-calorie malnutrition on drug metabolising enzymes in rat liver
Narang, A.P.
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 31(3): 170-177
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5499 PMID: 2962942 Document Number: 289587
Drugs are chiefly metabolished in the liver usually two phases, viz. oxidation and conjugation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM), rehabilitation and effect of phenobarbitone on the hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in weaning albino rats, fed on a semisynthetic diet containing 18% or 0.5% protein. The two representative enzymes of oxidation and conjugation employed were aminopyrine N-demethylase and bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase, respectively. The study revealed that PCM severely impairs oxidative drug metabolizing enzyme but less so in conjugation stage. On refeeding 18% protein diet, drug metabolizing enzymes returned to normal within 2-3 weeks. Phenobarbitone administration increased the activities of drug metabolizing enzymes.