Induction of hepatic DT-diaphorase in mice by butylated hydroxyanisole analogs: a structure-activity study.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its analogs were evaluated for their relative activity to induce hepatic DT-diaphorase (EC 1.6.99.2) after dietary administration (at concentrations of 11.1 or 27.7 micromol/g diet for 3 days) to mice. Of the compounds tested, only BHA and 2-tert-amyl-4-methoxyphenol, 4-methoxyphenols with 2-tert-alkyl side chains, were active in inducing DT-diaphorase activity. None of the remaining six compounds showed any significant sign of inducing activity. No simple explanation for these rather strict structural requirements can be offered at the present time.