The role of microsomal hydroxylases in the modification of chloroform hepatotoxicity in rats.

Male rats have a greater microsomal amidopyrine N-demethylase activity per unit weight of liver, a shorter hexobarbitone sleeping time and are more susceptible to the hepatotoxic effect of chloroform than female rats. Phenobarbitone sodium, phenylbutazone and DDT induce microsomal amidopyrine N-demethylase in the liver of the male rat and reduce hexobarbitone sleeping time. Chlorpromazine is less effective in this respect. Phenobarbitone, phenylbutazone and, to a lesser extent, chlorpromazine potentiate the hepatotoxic effect of chloroform in male rats. SKF 525A, sodium diethyl-dithiocarbamate and carbon disulphide increase hexabarbitone sleeping time in male rats and protect to varying degrees against the hepatotoxic effect of chloroform.