Effects of chronic administration of polybrominated biphenyls on parameters associated with hepatic drug metabolism.

Parameters relating to hepatic microsomal drug metabolism were measured in vitro following 2 weeks exposure of rats to polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) as a dietary supplement at 4.69, 18.75, 75 and 300 ppm. The mixture of PBB was a potent inducer of hepatic microsomal drug metabolism. The pattern of induction seen after PBB exposure was compared with that produced by phenobarbital and 3-methyl-cholanthrene and the pattern of induction observed shared similarities with both of these agents.