Differences in response of glucuronide and glutathione conjugating enzymes to aflatoxin b, and n‐acetylaminofluorene in underfed rats

Abstract

Changes in the hepatic drug/xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes in underfed rats exposed to aflatoxin B1 and N‐acetylaminofluorene were investigated. Neither carcinogen, fed at the level of 10 μg and 0.667 mg per 100 g body weight, respectively, over a period of 3 wk, had any significant influence on cytochrome P‐450 and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in the undernourished rats. Significantly low activities of UDP‐glucuronyltransferase and glutathione S‐transferase were observed in food‐restricted animals fed on aflatoxin B1. N‐acetylaminofluorene, on the other hand stimulated both the enzyme activities in the underfed group, to as much observed in the respective well‐fed treated group. UDP‐Glucuronyltransferase and glutathione S‐transferase in undernutrition seem to respond differently to aflatoxin B1 and N‐acetylaminofluorene. Further studies are needed to assess the possible consequences of such alterations.